Chapter 17 EMT

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

B. dysarthria.

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. has bleeding within the brain. C. is older than 60 years of age. D. has a GCS score that is less than 8.

B. has bleeding within the brain.

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

B. recovery position and transport.

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

A. cerebral vasodilation.

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

A. cerebrum, cerebellum, and brain stem.

The left cerebral hemisphere controls: A. the right side of the body. B. heart rate and pupil reaction. C. breathing and blood pressure. D. the right side of the face.

A. the right side of the body.

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

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. Confusion and fatigue C. A gradually decreasing level of consciousness D. A rapidly improving level of consciousness

B. Confusion and fatigue

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

B. Respiratory failure or cardiopulmonary arrest.

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. The pain is worse when bending over C. There is associated neck stiffness D. There is numbness in the extremities

B. The pain is worse when bending over

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

B. when the patient last appeared normal.

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

C. Hypovolemia

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

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. ensure a patent airway and support ventilation as needed. D. ask family members if the patient has a history of stroke.

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

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

C. hypertension.

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

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

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. 9. C. 7. D. 8.

D. 8.

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. His wife states that this was his "usual" seizure C. He has experienced seizures since he was 20 D. He is currently not prescribed any medications

D. He is currently not prescribed any medications

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

D. a seizure.

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. call medical control and request permission to give the child aspirin. B. cover the child with wet towels and give oxygen via nasal cannula. C. advise the mother to take her child to the doctor the following day. D. transport the child to the hospital and reassure the mother en route.

D. transport the child to the hospital and reassure the mother en route.