EMT Chapter 17

During the primary assessment of a semiconscious 70-year-old female, you should: A. ensure a patent airway and support ventilation as needed. B. immediately determine the patient's blood glucose level. C. insert a nasopharyngeal airway and assist ventilations. D. ask family members if the patient has a history of stroke.

A. ensure a patent airway and support ventilation as needed.

The MOST significant risk factor for a hemorrhagic stroke is: A. hypertension. B. heavy exertion. C. severe stress. D. diabetes mellitus.

A. hypertension.

Your patient opens his eyes, moans, and pulls away from you when you pinch his trapezius muscle. You should assign a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of: A. 6. B. 8. C. 9. D. 7.

B. 8.

Which of the following MOST accurately describes a simple partial seizure? A. A seizure that is not preceded by an aura B. A seizure that begins in one extremity C. A generalized seizure without incontinence D. A seizure that causes the patient to stare blankly

B. A seizure that begins in one extremity

A 30-year-old male experienced a generalized (tonic-clonic) seizure, which stopped before you arrived at the scene. The patient is conscious, is answering your questions appropriately, and refuses EMS transport. Which of the following would be the MOST compelling reason to disagree with his refusal of transport? A. His Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score is 15 B. He is currently not prescribed any medications C. His wife states that this was his "usual" seizure D. He has experienced seizures since he was 20

B. He is currently not prescribed any medications

A patient whose speech is slurred and difficult to understand is experiencing: A. dysphagia. B. paraplegia. C. dysarthria. D. aphasia.

C. dysarthria.

When assessing for arm drift of a patient with a suspected stroke, you should: A. expect to see one arm slowly drift down to the patient's side. B. observe movement of the arms for approximately 2 minutes. C. ask the patient to close his or her eyes during the assessment. D. ask the patient to hold his or her arms up with the palms down.

C. ask the patient to close his or her eyes during the assessment.

When you are obtaining medical history from the family of a suspected stroke patient, it is MOST important to determine: A. the patient's overall medication compliance. B. if there is a family history of a stroke. C. when the patient last appeared normal. D. if the patient has been hospitalized before.

C. when the patient last appeared normal.

Interruption of cerebral blood flow may result from all of the following, EXCEPT: A. a thrombus. B. an embolism. C. an acute arterial rupture. D. cerebral vasodilation.

D. cerebral vasodilation.

You are caring for a 68-year-old man with sudden onset of left-sided paralysis and slurred speech. His airway is patent, his respirations are 14 breaths/min with adequate depth, and his oxygen saturation is 98%. Treatment for this patient should include: A. oral glucose gel and transport. B. ventilatory assistance and transport. C. high-flow oxygen and transport. D. recovery position and transport.

D. recovery position and transport.