Chapter 17 Neurological Emergencies
ACTUAL Exam Questions and CORRECT
Answers
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. - CORRECT ANSWER - D.
not thinking clearly or is incapable of being aroused.
2.
Successful treatment of a stroke depends on whether:
A.
surgical intervention is performed to remove obstructive clots.
B.
medications are given to restore the function of infarcted cells.
C.
the stroke occurs within the left or right hemisphere of the brain.
D.
thrombolytic therapy is given within 3 hours after symptoms began. - CORRECT
ANSWER - D.
thrombolytic therapy is given within 3 hours after symptoms began.
,3.
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. - CORRECT
ANSWER - B.
transport the child to the hospital and reassure the mother en route.
4.
Law enforcement has summoned you to a nightclub, where a 22-year-old female was found
unconscious in an adjacent alley. Your primary assessment reveals that her respirations are rapid
and shallow and her pulse is rapid and weak. She is wearing a medical alert bracelet that
identifies her as an epileptic. There is an empty bottle of vodka next to the patient. You should:
A.
place a bite block in her mouth in case she has a seizure and transport at once.
B.
apply oxygen via a nonrebreathing mask, place her on her left side, and transport.
C.
assist ventilations, perform a rapid exam, and prepare for immediate transport.
D.
apply oxygen via nonrebreathing mask and transport her for a blood-alcohol test. - CORRECT
ANSWER - C.
assist ventilations, perform a rapid exam, and prepare for immediate transport
, 5.
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. - CORRECT ANSWER - A.
a seizure.
6.
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. - CORRECT ANSWER - D.
ensure a patent airway and support ventilation as needed.
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 phenytoin
ACTUAL Exam Questions and CORRECT
Answers
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. - CORRECT ANSWER - D.
not thinking clearly or is incapable of being aroused.
2.
Successful treatment of a stroke depends on whether:
A.
surgical intervention is performed to remove obstructive clots.
B.
medications are given to restore the function of infarcted cells.
C.
the stroke occurs within the left or right hemisphere of the brain.
D.
thrombolytic therapy is given within 3 hours after symptoms began. - CORRECT
ANSWER - D.
thrombolytic therapy is given within 3 hours after symptoms began.
,3.
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. - CORRECT
ANSWER - B.
transport the child to the hospital and reassure the mother en route.
4.
Law enforcement has summoned you to a nightclub, where a 22-year-old female was found
unconscious in an adjacent alley. Your primary assessment reveals that her respirations are rapid
and shallow and her pulse is rapid and weak. She is wearing a medical alert bracelet that
identifies her as an epileptic. There is an empty bottle of vodka next to the patient. You should:
A.
place a bite block in her mouth in case she has a seizure and transport at once.
B.
apply oxygen via a nonrebreathing mask, place her on her left side, and transport.
C.
assist ventilations, perform a rapid exam, and prepare for immediate transport.
D.
apply oxygen via nonrebreathing mask and transport her for a blood-alcohol test. - CORRECT
ANSWER - C.
assist ventilations, perform a rapid exam, and prepare for immediate transport
, 5.
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. - CORRECT ANSWER - A.
a seizure.
6.
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. - CORRECT ANSWER - D.
ensure a patent airway and support ventilation as needed.
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 phenytoin
