West Coast EMT Block 4 Exam Review Questions With Solutions

West Coast EMT Block 4 Exam Review Questions With Solutions What does subdural hematoma result from - ANSWER -bleeding within the subdural space typically result from rupture of the veins that bridge the cerebral cortex and dura what are signs and symptoms of a subdural hematoma - ANSWER -gradually increasing ICP, fluctuating level of consciousness and slurred speech What is an intracranial hematoma - ANSWER -it involves bleeding within the brain itself When might an intracranial hematoma occur - ANSWER -may occur following a penetrating injury to the head or because of rapid deceleration forces What are some signs and symptoms - ANSWER -Progression of increased ICP What is a subarachnoid hemorrhage? - ANSWER -bleeding occurs into the subarachnoid space where the CSF circulates. what results in a subarachnoid hemorrhage - ANSWER -it results in bloody CSF and neck rigidity/ headache What are common causes of subarachnoid hemorrhage - ANSWER -trauma or rupture of an aneurysm what are signs and symptoms of subarachnoid hemorrhage - ANSWER -Increased ICP, decreased level of consciousness, changes in the pupils, vomiting, and seizures What is a concussion - ANSWER -A temporary loss or alteration of part or all of the brain's abilities to function without actual physical damage to the brain. What causes concussions - ANSWER -a blow to the face or head What are signs and symptoms of a concussion - ANSWER -confusion, amnesia, dizziness, weakness, visual changes, changes in mood, nausea and vomiting, slurred speech and inability to focus what is a contusion - ANSWER -a bruise What causes a brain contusion to be more serious than a concussion - ANSWER When a contusion occurs it involves physical injury to the brain tissue which could lead to long lasting and sometimes permanent damage What are contusions associated with - ANSWER -they are associated with bleeding and swelling from injured blood vessels What is the CNS composed of - ANSWER -brain and spinal cord What are the three major areas of the brain - ANSWER -cerebrum, cerebellum, brain stem The cerebrum - ANSWER -controls a wide variety of activities including most voluntary functions and conscious thought The part of the brain that lies underneath the cerebrum is _______ and its function is ______ - ANSWER -the cerebellum it coordinates balance and body movements What is considered the primitive part of the CNS and what is its function - ANSWER -the brain stem, it controls virtually all the functions that are necessary for life The spinal cord carries messages between the brain and the body via_____ - ANSWER -the gray matter and white matter of the spinal cord What are meninges? - ANSWER -three distinct layers of tissue that suspend the brain and spinal cord within the skull and the spinal canal the Dura mater is - ANSWER -the outermost layer of the meninges, and is a tough, fibrous layer that closely resembles leather the inner two layers of the meninges are - ANSWER -arachnoid and pia mater, which are thinner and contain blood vessels that nourish the brain and spinal cord The Peripheral nervous system has two anatomical parts which are - ANSWER 31 pairs of spinal nerves and 12 pairs of cranial nerves what is the function of the 31 pairs of spinal nerves in the PNS - ANSWER -they conduct sensory impulses from the skin and other organs to the spinal cord, they also conduct motor impulses from the spinal cord to the muscle what does the brachial plexus control - ANSWER -arms What does the lumbosacral plexus control - ANSWER -legs the 12 cranial nerves that emerge from the brain stem_________ - ANSWER transmit information directly to or from the brain. What special functions do the cranial nerves serve - ANSWER -sight, smell, taste, hearing, and facial expression The sensory nerves - ANSWER -have endings that perceive only one type of information, carry that info to the brain via spinal cord the motor nerves - ANSWER -carry information from the CNS to the muscles (one for each muscle) The somatic nervous system - ANSWER -is the part of the nervous system that regulates or controls our voluntary activities including almost all coordinated muscular activities What is the mechanism of the somatic nervous system - ANSWER -the brain interprets the sensory info that it receives from the peripheral and cranial nerves and responds by sending signals to the voluntary muscles autonomic nervous system - ANSWER -controls the functions of many of the body's vital organs, over which the brain has no control over What two sections is the autonomic nervous system divided into - ANSWER sympathetic and parasympathetic The sympathetic nervous system - ANSWER -reacts to stress with the fight or flight response, causing the pupils to dilate, smooth muscle in the lungs to dilate, heart rate to increase and blood pressure to rise