EMT Chapter 17 Neurologic Emergencies
ACTUAL Exam Questions and CORRECT
Answers
aphasia - CORRECT ANSWER - The inability to understand and/or produce speech.
aura - CORRECT ANSWER - A sensation experienced prior to a seizure; serves as a
warning sign that a seizure is about to occur.
What are the three components of the Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Evaluates face, arms and speech.
Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale - CORRECT ANSWER - *Facial Droop*: Ask patient
to smile
Normal: Both sides of face move equally
Stroke: Unequal Movement
*Arm Drift*: Ask patient to close eyes and hold both arms out with palms up
Normal: Both arms move same, or neither move
Stroke: One arm drifts downward or one arm does not move
*Speech*: Ask patient to repeat a simple phrase
Normal: Patient restates without slurring
,Stroke: Patient slurs, uses inappropriate words, or cannot speak at all
Glasgow Coma Scale - CORRECT ANSWER - Assesses eye opening, verbal response,
and motor response
cerebrovascular accident (CVA) - CORRECT ANSWER - An interruption of blood flow to
the brain that results in the loss of brain function. Also called a stroke.
coma - CORRECT ANSWER - A state of profound unconsciousness from which one
cannot be roused.
embolus - CORRECT ANSWER - A blood clot or other substance in the circulatory
system that travels to a blood vessel where it causes a blockage.
hemiparesis - CORRECT ANSWER - Weakness on one side of the body.
hypoglycemia - CORRECT ANSWER - A condition characterized by a low blood glucose
level.
incontinence - CORRECT ANSWER - Loss of bowel and/or bladder control; may be the
result of a generalized seizure.
ischemia - CORRECT ANSWER - A lack of oxygen that deprives tissues of necessary
nutrients, resulting from partial or complete blockage of blood flow; potentially reversible
because permanent injury has not yet occurred.
partial seizure - CORRECT ANSWER - A seizure affecting a limited portion of the brain.
postictal state - CORRECT ANSWER - A period following a seizure that lasts between 5
and 30 minutes; characterized by labored respirations and some degree of altered mental status.
, seizure - CORRECT ANSWER - Generalized, uncoordinated muscular activity associated
with loss of consciousness; a convulsion.
status epilepticus - CORRECT ANSWER - A condition in which seizures recur every few
minutes or last more than 30 minutes.
stroke - CORRECT ANSWER - An interruption of blood flow to the brain that results in
the loss of brain function; also called a cerebrovascular accident (CVA).
thrombosis - CORRECT ANSWER - A blood clot, either in the arterial or venous system.
tonic-clonic seizure - CORRECT ANSWER - A type of seizure that features rhythmic
back-and-forth motion of an extremity and body stiffness.
transient ischemic attack (TIA) - CORRECT ANSWER - A disorder of the brain in which
brain cells temporarily stop working because of insufficient oxygen, causing strokelike
symptoms that resolve completely within 24 hours of onset.
Men, women and ethnicity with strokes - CORRECT ANSWER - More men than women
have strokes but it is more fatal in women. African Americans, Hispanics and Asians are more at
risk.
Cerebellum - CORRECT ANSWER - Controls muscle and body coordination
Where is speech controlled? - CORRECT ANSWER - Left cerebral hemisphere the middle
How many cranial nerves run from the brain to parts of the head? - CORRECT
ANSWER - 12
ACTUAL Exam Questions and CORRECT
Answers
aphasia - CORRECT ANSWER - The inability to understand and/or produce speech.
aura - CORRECT ANSWER - A sensation experienced prior to a seizure; serves as a
warning sign that a seizure is about to occur.
What are the three components of the Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Evaluates face, arms and speech.
Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale - CORRECT ANSWER - *Facial Droop*: Ask patient
to smile
Normal: Both sides of face move equally
Stroke: Unequal Movement
*Arm Drift*: Ask patient to close eyes and hold both arms out with palms up
Normal: Both arms move same, or neither move
Stroke: One arm drifts downward or one arm does not move
*Speech*: Ask patient to repeat a simple phrase
Normal: Patient restates without slurring
,Stroke: Patient slurs, uses inappropriate words, or cannot speak at all
Glasgow Coma Scale - CORRECT ANSWER - Assesses eye opening, verbal response,
and motor response
cerebrovascular accident (CVA) - CORRECT ANSWER - An interruption of blood flow to
the brain that results in the loss of brain function. Also called a stroke.
coma - CORRECT ANSWER - A state of profound unconsciousness from which one
cannot be roused.
embolus - CORRECT ANSWER - A blood clot or other substance in the circulatory
system that travels to a blood vessel where it causes a blockage.
hemiparesis - CORRECT ANSWER - Weakness on one side of the body.
hypoglycemia - CORRECT ANSWER - A condition characterized by a low blood glucose
level.
incontinence - CORRECT ANSWER - Loss of bowel and/or bladder control; may be the
result of a generalized seizure.
ischemia - CORRECT ANSWER - A lack of oxygen that deprives tissues of necessary
nutrients, resulting from partial or complete blockage of blood flow; potentially reversible
because permanent injury has not yet occurred.
partial seizure - CORRECT ANSWER - A seizure affecting a limited portion of the brain.
postictal state - CORRECT ANSWER - A period following a seizure that lasts between 5
and 30 minutes; characterized by labored respirations and some degree of altered mental status.
, seizure - CORRECT ANSWER - Generalized, uncoordinated muscular activity associated
with loss of consciousness; a convulsion.
status epilepticus - CORRECT ANSWER - A condition in which seizures recur every few
minutes or last more than 30 minutes.
stroke - CORRECT ANSWER - An interruption of blood flow to the brain that results in
the loss of brain function; also called a cerebrovascular accident (CVA).
thrombosis - CORRECT ANSWER - A blood clot, either in the arterial or venous system.
tonic-clonic seizure - CORRECT ANSWER - A type of seizure that features rhythmic
back-and-forth motion of an extremity and body stiffness.
transient ischemic attack (TIA) - CORRECT ANSWER - A disorder of the brain in which
brain cells temporarily stop working because of insufficient oxygen, causing strokelike
symptoms that resolve completely within 24 hours of onset.
Men, women and ethnicity with strokes - CORRECT ANSWER - More men than women
have strokes but it is more fatal in women. African Americans, Hispanics and Asians are more at
risk.
Cerebellum - CORRECT ANSWER - Controls muscle and body coordination
Where is speech controlled? - CORRECT ANSWER - Left cerebral hemisphere the middle
How many cranial nerves run from the brain to parts of the head? - CORRECT
ANSWER - 12
