EMT-B Chapter 17 Quiz

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 generalized seizure without incontinence D. A seizure that is not preceded by an aura

A. A seizure that begins in one extremity

Which of the following conditions would be the LEAST likely to mimic the signs and symptoms of a stroke? A. Hypovolemia B. Intracranial bleeding C. Hypoglycemia D. A postictal state

A. Hypovolemia

Which of the following is a metabolic cause of a seizure? A. Poisoning B. Head trauma C. Brain tumor D. Massive stroke

A. Poisoning

Which of the following symptoms would lead the EMT to believe that a patient's headache is caused by sinus congestion? A. The pain is worse when bending over B. There is associated neck stiffness C. The headache began suddenly D. There is numbness in the extremities

A. The pain is worse when bending over

When caring for a patient with documented hypoglycemia, you should be MOST alert for: A. a seizure. B. a febrile convulsion. C. an acute stroke. D. respiratory distress.

A. a seizure.

Individuals with chronic alcoholism are predisposed to intracranial bleeding and hypoglycemia secondary to abnormalities in the: A. liver. B. kidneys. C. pancreas. D. brain.

A. liver.

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 transport immediately. B. assist her ventilations with a bag-valve mask. C. administer one tube of oral glucose and transport. D. insert an oral airway, apply oxygen, and transport.

A. suction her oropharynx and transport immediately.

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. give her small cups of water to drink and observe for further seizure activity. B. monitor her airway and breathing status and assess her blood glucose level. C. administer one tube of oral glucose and prepare for immediate transport. D. place her in the recovery position and transport her with lights and siren.

B. monitor her airway and breathing status and assess her blood glucose level.

A patient with an altered mental status is: A. completely unresponsive to all forms of stimuli. B. not thinking clearly or is incapable of being aroused. C. usually able to be aroused with a painful stimulus. D. typically alert but is confused as to preceding events.

B. not thinking clearly or is incapable of being aroused.

The most basic functions of the body, such as breathing, blood pressure, and swallowing, are controlled by the: A. cerebellum. B. cerebrum. C. brain stem. D. cerebral cortex.

C. brain stem.

The three major parts of the brain are the: A. brain stem, midbrain, and spinal cord. B. cerebellum, medulla, and occiput. C. cerebrum, cerebellum, and brain stem. D. midbrain, cerebellum, and spinal cord.

C. cerebrum, cerebellum, and brain stem.

The spinal cord exits the cranium through the: A. foramen lamina. B. cauda equina. C. vertebral foramen. D. foramen magnum.

D. foramen magnum.

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

D. hypertension.

The mental status of a patient who has experienced a generalized seizure: A. is easily differentiated from that of acute hypoglycemia. B. progressively worsens over a period of a few hours. C. typically does not improve, even after several minutes. D. is likely to improve over a period of 5 to 30 minutes.

D. is likely to improve over a period of 5 to 30 minutes.

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. wait for the seizure to stop, manually open her airway, insert an oropharyngeal airway, and assess her oxygen saturation with the pulse oximeter. B. 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. C. place a bite block in between her teeth, apply high-flow oxygen via a nonrebreathing mask, and consider inserting a nasopharyngeal airway. 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. maintain her airway with manual head positioning, suction her airway to remove the vomitus, insert a nasopharyngeal airway, and administer high-flow oxygen.

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. ventilatory assistance and transport. B. high-flow oxygen and transport. C. oral glucose gel and transport. D. recovery position and transport.

D. recovery position and transport.

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. 7. B. 8. C. 6. D. 9.

B. 8.

Which of the following conditions would MOST likely affect the entire brain? A. Reduced blood supply to the left hemisphere B. Blocked cerebral artery in the frontal lobe C. Respiratory failure or cardiopulmonary arrest D. Ruptured cerebral artery in the occipital lobe

C. Respiratory failure or cardiopulmonary arrest

A transient ischemic attack (TIA) occurs when: A. signs and symptoms resolve spontaneously within 48 hours. B. a small cerebral artery ruptures and causes minimal damage. C. a small clot in a cerebral artery causes temporary symptoms. D. medications are given to dissolve a cerebral blood clot.

C. a small clot in a cerebral artery causes temporary symptoms.

Febrile seizures: A. often result in permanent brain damage. B. occur when a child's fever rises slowly. C. are usually benign but should be evaluated. D. are also referred to as absence seizures.

C. are usually benign but should be evaluated.