EMT Chapter 17-19, 21 & 22 - Neurologic Emergencies, Gastrointestinal and Urologic Emergencies, Endocrine and Hematologic, Toxicology, Psychiatric Emergencies, EMT
Pain that may be perceived at a distant point on the surface of the body, such as the back or shoulder, is called: A. referred pain. B. radiating pain. C. visceral pain. D. remote pain.
A
The MOST common and significant complication associated with an acute abdomen is: A. peritonitis. B. high fever. C. severe pain. D. internal bleeding.
A
The spinal cord exits the cranium through the: A. foramen magnum. B. vertebral foramen. C. foramen lamina. D. cauda equina.
A
What is the most common misconception surrounding mental illness? A. Feeling "bad" or "depressed" means that you must be "sick." B. Many mental illnesses stem from drug or alcohol abuse. C. All persons with mental disorders are physically violent and dangerous. D. Everyone has some form of mental illness.
A
When a psychiatric emergency arises, a patient is most likely to exhibit which of the following behaviors? A. Any behaviors that are a violent threat to the patient, EMTs, or others B. Visual or auditory hallucinations C. Disruptions to activities of daily living D. Any behaviors unacceptable to the patient, family, or community
A
When caring for a patient with documented hypoglycemia, you should be MOST alert for: A. a seizure. B. an acute stroke. C. respiratory distress. D. a febrile convulsion.
A
When you are obtaining medical history from the family of a suspected stroke patient, it is MOST important to determine: A. when the patient last appeared normal. B. if there is a family history of a stroke. C. if the patient has been hospitalized before. D. the patient's overall medication compliance.
A
Which of the following MOST accurately describes a simple partial seizure? A. a seizure that begins in one extremity B. a seizure that causes the patient to stare blankly C. a seizure that is not preceded by an aura D. a generalized seizure without incontinence
A
Which of the following is a good guideline for physical examination of any patient? A. Avoid touching without permission. B. Complete the physical exam first, then check the ABCs. C. Examine extremities first. D. Always work toe-to-head.
A
Which of the following is a metabolic cause of a seizure? A. poisoning B. head trauma C. brain tumor D. massive stroke
A
Which of the following is an example of a psychiatric disorder? A. Depression B. Hypoxia C. Low blood glucose D. All of these answers are correct.
A
Which of the following organs would MOST likely bleed profusely if injured? A. liver B. stomach C. appendix D. gallbladder
A
Why might EMTs encounter a larger proportion of violent patients than the population at large? A. EMTs respond to patients who, by definition, are having an emergency. B. It is a common misperception; EMTs do NOT encounter a larger proportion of violent patients than the population at large. C. EMTs respond with law enforcement. D. EMTs have to restrain patients.
A
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. recovery position and transport. B. ventilatory assistance and transport. C. high-flow oxygen and transport. D. oral glucose gel and transport.
A
You are caring for a 70-year-old female with signs and symptoms of an acute stroke. She is conscious, has secretions in her mouth, is breathing at a normal rate with adequate depth, and has an oxygen saturation of 96%. You should: A. suction her oropharynx and apply 100% oxygen. B. insert an oral airway, apply oxygen, and transport. C. use a bag-mask device to assist her ventilations. D. place her on her side and prepare for rapid transport.
A
You are attending to a 27-year-old patient with a history of depression. The patient's family tells you that she has been openly talking about harming herself and suicide, and they got scared when she tried to overdose on some medications. The patient did not take the pills and is alert and oriented. Despite all of your best efforts to convince her, the patient refuses to go to hospital for treatment. Based on this information, you should: A. call for the police to attend the scene and, once they arrive, release responsibility for patient transport to them B. stay with the patient while you arrange for other transport options as a potentially life-threatening emergency exists C. ensure that the patient is competent and completes the required documentation, and leave her in the care of her family. D. restrain the patient and transport her to the hospital as she represents a threat to her safety.
B
You are attending to a 32-year-old male patient. The patient's wife tells you that he returned from Afghanistan last year. While he initially seemed fine, lately he has become withdrawn and distanced himself from his family and friends. He does not talk about it, but she knows that he has been having terrible nightmares that wake him up. The most appropriate question to ask regarding his experience in Afghanistan is: A. Have you ever been diagnosed with PTSD? B. Were you shot at or under fire? C. Can you tell me about your experience? D. Were you in combat?
B
You are called to a home and find a 56-year-old woman supine in her bed. She appears alert, but has slurred speech. Her family tells you she has a history of TIAs and hypertension. You ask the patient, "What day is it today?" Her reply is, "Butterfly." Which area of the brain is likely affected? A. Occipital lobe B. Left hemisphere C. Cerebellum D. Right hemisphere
B
You are dispatched to a residence for a 66-year-old male who, according to family members, has suffered a massive stroke. Your primary assessment reveals that the patient is unresponsive, apneic, and pulseless. You should: A. assess the patient for a facial droop and hemiparesis. B. initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and attach an automated external defibrillator (AED) as soon as possible. C. obtain a blood glucose sample to rule out hypoglycemia. D. perform CPR for 5 minutes before applying the AED.
B
You respond to a residence for a child who is having a seizure. Upon arrival at the scene, you enter the residence and find the mother holding her child, a 2-year-old male. The child is conscious and crying. According to the mother, the child had been running a high fever and then experienced a seizure that lasted approximately 3 minutes. You should: A. cover the child with wet towels and give oxygen via nasal cannula. B. transport the child to the hospital and reassure the mother en route. C. advise the mother to take her child to the doctor the following day. D. call medical control and request permission to give the child aspirin.
B
From a mental health standpoint, an abnormal or disturbing pattern of behavior is a matter of concern if it lasts for at least: A. 3 weeks. B. 2 weeks. C. 1 week. D. 1 month.
D
Hypoglycemia can mimic conditions such as: A. cystic fibrosis. B. myocardial infarction. C. high fever. D. stroke.
D
In contrast to the parietal peritoneum, the visceral peritoneum: A. is supplied by the same nerves from the spinal cord that supply the skin of the abdomen. B. lines the walls of the abdominal cavity and is stimulated when the solid abdominal organs contract. C. is less likely to become inflamed or infected because it lines the abdominal organs themselves. D. is supplied by nerves of the autonomic nervous system, which are less able to localize pain or sensation.
D
Injury to a hollow abdominal organ would MOST likely result in: A. pain secondary to blood in the peritoneum. B. profound shock due to severe internal bleeding. C. impairment in the blood's clotting abilities. D. leakage of contents into the abdominal cavity.
D
The most basic functions of the body, such as breathing, blood pressure, and swallowing, are controlled by the: A. cerebellum. B. cerebrum. C. cerebral cortex. D. brain stem.
D
The three major parts of the brain are the: A. cerebellum, medulla, and occiput. B. brain stem, midbrain, and spinal cord. C. midbrain, cerebellum, and spinal cord. D. cerebrum, cerebellum, and brain stem.
D
When caring for a patient experiencing excited delirium, the EMT should remember that: A. most patients will have low blood pressure and hyperglycemia. B. excited delirium is worsened by nervous system depressant drugs. C. lights and siren are effective in redirecting the patient's behavior. D. sudden death can occur if the patient's violence is not controlled.
D
When investigating the chief complaint of a psychiatric emergency, the EMT should attempt to determine which of the following? A. Are psychogenic circumstances or illnesses involved? B. Are hallucinogens or other drugs or alcohol a factor? C. Is the patient's central nervous system functioning properly? D. All of these answers are correct.
D
Which of the following conditions would MOST likely affect the entire brain? A. Blocked cerebral artery in the frontal lobe B. Reduced blood supply to the left hemisphere C. Ruptured cerebral artery in the occipital lobe D. Respiratory failure or cardiopulmonary arrest
D
Which of the following is characteristic of peptic ulcer disease (PUD)? A. the passage of bright red blood in the stool or coughing up blood B. symptom relief after taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs C. sharp pain that is typically located in both lower abdominal quadrants D. burning or pain in the stomach that subsides immediately after eating
D
Which of the following symptoms would lead the EMT to believe that a patient's headache is caused by sinus congestion? A. The headache began suddenly B. There is associated neck stiffness C. There is numbness in the extremities D. The pain is worse when bending over
D
You arrive at the residence of a 33-year-old woman who is experiencing a generalized (tonic-clonic) seizure. She has a small amount of vomitus draining from the side of her mouth. After protecting her from further injury, you should: A. place a bite block in between her teeth, apply high-flow oxygen via a nonrebreathing mask, and consider inserting a nasopharyngeal airway. B. wait for the seizure to stop, manually open her airway, insert an oropharyngeal airway, and assess her oxygen saturation with the pulse oximeter. C. restrain her extremities to prevent her from injuring herself, suction her airway to remove the vomitus, and assist her ventilations with a bag-mask device. D. maintain her airway with manual head positioning, suction her airway to remove the vomitus, insert a nasopharyngeal airway, and administer high-flow oxygen.
D
You receive a call for a domestic dispute. When you arrive at the scene, you find a young male standing on the front porch of his house. You notice that an adjacent window is broken. The patient has a large body, is clenching his fists, and is yelling obscenities at you. Which of the following findings is LEAST predictive of this patient's potential for violence? A. His shouting of obscenities B. His clenched fists C. The broken window D. His large body size
D
A transient ischemic attack (TIA) occurs when: A. medications are given to dissolve a cerebral blood clot. B. a small cerebral artery ruptures and causes minimal damage. C. the normal body processes destroy a clot in a cerebral artery. D. signs and symptoms resolve spontaneously within 48 hours.
C
Common causes of acute psychotic behavior include all of the following, EXCEPT: A. intense stress. B. schizophrenia. C. Alzheimer disease. D. mind-altering-substance use.
C
During a psychiatric emergency, the EMT should be able to ____________. a. determine what has caused the psychological crisis b. resolve the problem at the heart of the psychological crisis c. predict whether the patient will become violent d. physically restrain the patient without assistance
C
Febrile seizures: A. often result in permanent brain damage. B. are also referred to as petit mal seizures. C. are usually benign but should be evaluated. D. occur when a child's fever progressively rises.
C
In which position should you restrain a physically uncooperative patient? A. Prone B. With hands tied behind the back C. Lateral decubitus D. With arms and legs bound together
C
Individuals with chronic alcoholism are predisposed to intracranial bleeding and hypoglycemia secondary to abnormalities in the: A. brain. B. kidneys. C. liver. D. pancreas.
C
Interruption of cerebral blood flow may result from all of the following, EXCEPT: A. a thrombus. B. an embolism. C. cerebral vasodilation. D. an acute arterial rupture.
C
Law enforcement personnel request your assistance for a 30-year-old man whom they pulled over for erratic driving. The patient became acutely violent while he was being questioned, which required one of the officers to subdue him with a Taser. When you arrive and assess the patient, you find that he is very agitated and is experiencing apparent hallucinations. His skin is flushed and diaphoretic. You should: A. quickly rule out any life-threatening conditions and then perform a detailed secondary assessment as he is being restrained. B. suspect that he is acutely hypoglycemic, consider giving him one tube of oral glucose, and transport with lights and siren. C. limit physical contact with the patient as much as possible and avoid interrupting him if he is attempting to communicate with you. D. recognize that he is experiencing a complex psychiatric crisis, quickly load him into the ambulance, and transport without delay.
C
Patients with mental health disorders are often ____________. A. unmanageable B. violent C. misunderstood D. abusing drugs and/or alcohol
C
The kidneys help to regulate blood pressure by: A. retaining key electrolytes, such as potassium. B. eliminating toxic waste products from the body. C. removing sodium, and thus water, from the body. D. accommodating a large amount of blood volume.
C
The left cerebral hemisphere controls: A. the right side of the face. B. heart rate and pupil reaction. C. the right side of the body. D. breathing and blood pressure.
C
The mental status of a patient who has experienced a generalized seizure: A. progressively worsens over a period of a few hours. B. is easily differentiated from that of acute hypoglycemia. C. is likely to improve over a period of 5 to 30 minutes. D. typically does not improve, even after several minutes.
C
The parietal peritoneum lines the: A. retroperitoneal space. B. lungs and chest cavity. C. walls of the abdominal cavity. D. surface of the abdominal organs.
C
The two basic categories of diagnosis that a physician will use for behavioral crises or psychiatric emergencies are ____________. A. organic brain syndrome and altered mental status B. functional and nonfunctional C. physical and psychological D. All of these answers are correct.
C
When assessing for arm drift of a patient with a suspected stroke, you should: A. observe movement of the arms for approximately 2 minutes. B. expect to see one arm slowly drift down to the patient's side. 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
When blood flow to a particular part of the brain is cut off by a blockage inside a blood vessel, the result is: A. a hemorrhagic stroke. B. atherosclerosis. C. an ischemic stroke. D. a cerebral embolism.
C
Which of the following MOST accurately describes what the patient will experience during the postictal state that follows a seizure? A. hyperventilation and hypersalivation B. a rapidly improving level of consciousness C. confusion and fatigue D. a gradually decreasing level of consciousness
C
Which of the following is an example of a psychiatric emergency? A. A person going on a week-long "bender" after losing a job B. A person who is experiencing a panic attack C. A person violently attacking family members D. A person who is depressed and no longer caring for himself
C
Which of the following is considered an organic brain syndrome? A. Depression B. Schizophrenia C. Alzheimer dementia D. Anxiety conditions
C
Which of the following organs assists in the filtration of blood, serves as a blood reservoir, and produces antibodies? A. liver B. kidney C. spleen D. pancreas
C
Which of the following organs lies in the retroperitoneal space? A. liver B. spleen C. pancreas D. gallbladder
C
Which of the following statements regarding the acute abdomen is correct? A. The most common cause of an acute abdomen is inflammation of the gallbladder and liver. B. The parietal peritoneum is typically the first abdominal layer that becomes inflamed or irritated. C. The initial pain associated with an acute abdomen tends to be vague and poorly localized. D. An acute abdomen almost always occurs as the result of blunt trauma to solid abdominal organs.
C
You are attending to a 24-year-old male patient who is delusional. His family tells you that his hallucinations started as a teenager and have gotten progressively worse over time. The patient is difficult to communicate with because his speech is erratic and he appears to have his own rules of logic. Based on this information, the patient is most likely suffering from: A. excited delirium. B. organic brain syndrome. C. schizophrenia. D. bipolar disorder.
C
You arrive at a local grocery store approximately 5 minutes after a 21-year-old female stopped seizing. She is confused and disoriented; she keeps asking you what happened and tells you that she is thirsty. Her brother, who witnessed the seizure, tells you that she takes valproate (Depakote) for her seizures, but has not taken it in a few days. He also tells you that she has diabetes. In addition to administering oxygen, you should: A. administer one tube of oral glucose and prepare for immediate transport. B. place her in the recovery position and transport her with lights and siren. C. monitor her airway and breathing status and assess her blood glucose level. D. give her small cups of water to drink and observe for further seizure activity.
C
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. 7. C. 8. D. 9.
C
t is MOST important for the EMT to remember that suicidal patients may: A. inject illicit drugs. B. be self-destructive. C. be homicidal as well. D. have a definitive plan.
C
When assessing a patient who is displaying bizarre behavior, the EMT should: a. consider that an acute medical illness may be causing the patient's behavior. b. avoid asking questions about suicide because this may give the patient ideas. c. check his or her blood glucose level only if he or she has a history of diabetes. d. carefully document his or her perception of what is causing the patient's behavior.
a
The term "behavioral crisis" is MOST accurately defined as: a. a sudden, violent outburst of an otherwise mentally stable person toward a family member. b. any reaction that interferes with activities of daily living or is deemed unacceptable by others. c. a situation in which a patient demonstrates bizarre behavior and becomes a risk to other people. d. a period of severe depression that lasts longer than 2 weeks and cannot be controlled with medications.
b
When responding to a psychiatric emergency, it is recommended that the EMT obtain vital signs ____________. a. on each and every patient b. only when doing so will not exacerbate the patient's distress c. beginning with blood pressure d. without using pulse oximetry
b
Pain that is localized to the lower back and/or lower abdominal quadrants is MOST suggestive of: A. acute pancreatitis. B. an aortic aneurysm. C. a kidney infection. D. acute appendicitis.
B
Pain that radiates to the right lower quadrant from the umbilical area, nausea and vomiting, and anorexia are MOST indicative of: A. pancreatitis. B. appendicitis. C. cholecystitis. D. gastroenteritis.
B
Patients with a subarachnoid hemorrhage typically complain of a sudden severe: A. bout of dizziness. B. headache. C. altered mental status. D. thirst.
B
Peritonitis may result in shock because: A. intra-abdominal hemorrhage is typically present. B. fluid shifts from the bloodstream into body tissues. C. abdominal distention impairs cardiac contractions. D. severe pain causes systemic dilation of the vasculature.
B
Signs of excited delirium include: A. subdued behavior, crying, and suicidal thoughts. B. diaphoresis, tachycardia, and hallucinations. C. pallor, hypotension, and constricted pupils. D. slurred speech, bradycardia, and a high fever.
B
Solid abdominal organs include the: A. stomach and small intestine. B. spleen, kidneys, and pancreas. C. gallbladder and large intestine. D. urinary bladder, colon, and ureters.
B
The MOST significant risk factor for a hemorrhagic stroke is: A. severe stress. B. hypertension. C. heavy exertion. D. diabetes mellitus
B
The mental health care system in the United States functions on several levels. For patients with clinical depression, care is most often provided by: A. a professional counselor. B. a psychologist. C. a psychiatrist. D. admission to a psychiatric unit.
B
The principal difference between a patient who has had a stroke and a patient with hypoglycemia almost always has to do with the A. papillary response. B. mental status. C. blood pressure. D. capillary refill time.
B
When transporting a stable stroke patient with a paralyzed extremity, place the patient in a: A. recumbent position with the paralyzed side up. B. recumbent position with the paralyzed side down. C. sitting position with the head at a 45° to 90° angle. D. supine position with the legs elevated 6″ to 12″.
B
Which of the following conditions would be the LEAST likely to mimic the signs and symptoms of a stroke? A. hypoglycemia B. hypovolemia C. a postictal state D. intracranial bleeding
B
Which of the following considerations is the most important for the EMT during the scene size-up step of managing a psychiatric emergency? a. Has the patient exhibited this behavior before? b. Do you need to call for law enforcement as additional resources? c. What can family or bystanders explain about this behavior? d. Are legal issues involved?
B
Which of the following might help the EMT differentiate between "normal" depression and mental illness? a. The age of the patient b. The amount of time that the patient remains feeling "blue" c. The patient's family support system d. The patient's vital signs
B
Which of the following statements regarding gastrointestinal bleeding is correct? A. In the majority of cases, bleeding within the gastrointestinal tract occurs acutely and is severe. B. Bleeding within the gastrointestinal tract is a symptom of another disease, not a disease itself. C. Lower gastrointestinal bleeding results from conditions such as Mallory-Weiss syndrome. D. Chronic bleeding within the gastrointestinal tract is usually more severe than bleeding that occurs acutely.
B
Which of the following terms applies to a state of delusion in which the patient is out of touch with reality? A. Schizophrenia B. Psychosis C. Agitated delirium D. Suicidal
B
You are assessing a 45-year-old female who is severely depressed. She states that it seems as though her entire world is crashing down around her. She further states that she has had frequent thoughts of suicide, but is not sure if she can actually go through with it. How should you manage this situation? A. Have law enforcement place her in protective custody. B. Ask the patient if she has developed a suicidal plan. C. Leave the scene and have a neighbor check in on her. D. Encourage the patient to remain quiet during transport.
B
A 38-year-old male with a history of schizophrenia is reported by neighbors to be screaming and throwing things in his house. You are familiar with the patient and have cared for him in the past for unrelated problems. Law enforcement officers escort you into the residence when you arrive. The patient tells you that he sees vampires and is attempting to ward them off by screaming and throwing things at them. He has several large lacerations to his forearms that are actively bleeding. The MOST appropriate way to manage this situation is to: A. restrain the patient with appropriate force in order to treat his injuries. B. approach the patient and calm him by placing your hand on his shoulder. C. request that the police officers arrest him and take him to the hospital. D. try to gain the patient's trust by telling him that you see the vampires too.
A
A person's response to their environment is defined as ____________. A. behavior B. activities C. crisis D. emergency
A
Any attempt to physically restrain a patient should involve ____________. A. law enforcement B. sedatives C. ALS personnel D. All of these answers are correct.
A
Everyone exhibits some signs and symptoms of mental illness at some point in life ____________. A. but that does not mean a person is mentally ill B. and needs medication administered to control them C. and should be physically restrained for their own safety and the safety of the EMT D. because mental illness affects everyone
A
Headache, vomiting, altered mental status, and seizures are all considered early signs of: A. increased intracranial pressure. B. decreased intracranial pressure. C. increased extracranial pressure. D. decreased extracranial pressure.
A
You are assessing the arm drift component of the Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale on a 60-year-old woman. When she holds both of her arms out in front of her and closes her eyes, both of her arms immediately fall to her sides. You should: A. repeat the arm drift test and ensure that her palms are facing downward. B. repeat the arm drift test, but move the patient's arms into position yourself. C. instruct the patient to keep her eyes open and then repeat the arm drift test. D. defer this part of the test and assess her for facial droop and slurred speech.
B
Erosion of the protective layer of the stomach or duodenum secondary to overactivity of digestive juices results in: A. ileus. B. an ulcer. C. appendicitis. D. cholecystitis.
B
Functions of the liver include: A. storage of bile, which is produced in the gallbladder. B. production of substances necessary for blood clotting. C. production of hormones that regulate blood sugar levels. D. release of amylase, which breaks down starches into sugar.
B
In the presence of ileus, the only way the stomach can empty itself is by: A. diarrhea. B. vomiting. C. muscular contraction. D. spontaneous rupture.
B
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. He has experienced seizures since he was 20 B. He is currently not prescribed any medications C. His wife states that this was his "usual" seizure D. His Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score is 15
B
A 35-year-old mildly obese woman is complaining of localized pain in the right upper quadrant with referred pain to the right shoulder. The MOST likely cause of her pain is: A. acute cystitis. B. acute cholecystitis. C. appendicitis. D. pancreatitis.
B
A chronic feeling of sadness or despair is defined as: A. a psychiatric emergency. B. depression. C. behavior. D. a "bender."
B
A general impression of the patient is formed by an EMT: A. speaking privately with the patient. B. at a distance when the patient is first seen. C. when the patient is in the ambulance. D. speaking with family members or bystanders first.
B
A patient whose speech is slurred and difficult to understand is experiencing: A. aphasia. B. dysarthria. C. dysphagia. D. paraplegia.
B
A young female presents with costovertebral angle tenderness. She is conscious and alert with stable vital signs. Which of the following organs is MOST likely causing her pain? A. liver B. kidney C. pancreas D. gallbladder
B
During the primary assessment of a semiconscious 70-year-old female, you should: A. insert a nasopharyngeal airway and assist ventilations. B. immediately determine the patient's blood glucose level. C. ask family members if the patient has a history of stroke. D. ensure a patent airway and support ventilation as needed.
D
A patient with an altered mental status is: A. completely unresponsive to all forms of stimuli. B. typically alert but is confused as to preceding events. C. usually able to be aroused with a painful stimulus. D. not thinking clearly or is incapable of being aroused.
D
A 40-year-old male intentionally cut his wrist out of anger after losing his job. Law enforcement has secured the scene prior to your arrival. As you enter the residence and visualize the patient, you can see that he has a towel around his wrist and a moderate amount of blood has soaked through it. You should: A. approach the patient with caution. B. tell the patient that you want to help. C. quickly tend to the bleeding wound. D. calmly identify yourself to the patient.
D
A behavioral crisis interferes with which of the following? A. Activities of daily living B. Behavior that is acceptable to the community C. Dressing, eating, or bathing D. All of these answers are correct.
D
A disorder in which the abnormal operation of an organ cannot be traced to an obvious change in the structure or physiology of the organ system is called ____________. A. organic brain syndrome B. altered mental status C. a psychiatric emergency D. a functional disorder
D
A patient who is possibly experiencing a stroke is NOT eligible for thrombolytic (fibrinolytic) therapy if he or she: A. has had a prior heart attack. B. is older than 60 years of age. C. has a GCS score that is less than 8. D. has bleeding within the brain.
D
A 78-year-old female presents with an acute change in her behavior. The patient's son tells you that his mother has type 2 diabetes and was diagnosed with Alzheimer disease 6 months ago. The patient's speech is slurred and she is not alert to her surroundings. You should: a. transport the patient to a psychiatric facility. b. inquire about the possibility of head trauma. c. conclude that the patient's blood sugar is high. d. allow the patient to refuse transport if she wishes
b
