Chapter 18 Neurological Emergencies
ACTUAL Exam Questions and CORRECT
Answers
During a generalized tonic/clonic seizure, the patient is rigid and his back is arched. This
represents the _________ phase of the seizure. - CORRECT ANSWER - A. Hypertonic
An idiopathic seizure is one in which: - CORRECT ANSWER - A. the cause is not known.
In contrast to a benign neoplasm, a malignant neoplasm: - CORRECT ANSWER - C .can
metastasize to other parts of the body.
A neoplasm is MOST accurately defined as a: - CORRECT ANSWER - D. New Growth
You are dispatched to a residence for a middle-aged woman with generalized weakness of
approximately 18 hours' duration. Your primary assessment reveals right-sided hemiparesis, a
left-sided facial droop, and bilaterally equal and reactive pupils. Further assessment reveals that
her blood glucose level is 70 mg/dL. En route to the hospital, you note increased movement of
her right arm. She is receiving oxygen via nasal cannula and has a patent IV line in place. Which
of the following statements regarding this scenario is correct? - CORRECT ANSWER - C.
Although the patient is likely experiencing a TIA, you should treat her as though she is
experiencing a stroke.
A 33-year-old woman had an apparent syncopal episode. According to her husband, she
complained of dizziness shortly before the episode. He further states that he caught her before
she fell to the ground. Upon your arrival, the patient is conscious but confused and is sitting in a
chair. Her blood pressure is 90/60 mm Hg, pulse rate is 110 beats/min and weak, and respirations
are 22 breaths/min and regular. Her blood glucose level is 74 mg/dL. The MOST likely cause of
her syncopal episode is: - CORRECT ANSWER - B. dehydration.
In contrast to syncope, a seizure: - CORRECT ANSWER - A. can occur when the patient
is in any position.
, A 19-year-old man presents with a decreased level of consciousness. According to his girlfriend,
he has no known medical problems and takes no medications. Initial treatment for this patient
involves: - CORRECT ANSWER - C. ensuring airway patency and adequate breathing.
A woman brings her 18-year-old son to your EMS station. The patient is actively seizing and,
according to the mother, has been seizing for the past 10 minutes. She states that her son has a
history of seizures and takes Depakote. The patient is cyanotic, is breathing erratically, and has
generalized muscle twitching to all extremities. You should: - CORRECT ANSWER - B.
open his airway and begin assisting his ventilations, establish an IV or IO line, and administer 5
to 10 mg of diazepam.
For any patient with an increase in intracranial pressure, the paramedic must: - CORRECT
ANSWER - D. maintain an adequate blood pressure.
Prehospital treatment for a patient with a suspected stroke may include all of the following,
EXCEPT: - CORRECT ANSWER - A. up to 325 mg of aspirin.
An elderly man presents with slurred speech, confusion, and unilateral facial asymmetry. When
asked to squeeze your hands, the strength in his left hand is markedly less than the strength in his
right hand. The patient's wife tells you that her husband has type 2 diabetes and hypertension. On
the basis of your clinical findings, you should: - CORRECT ANSWER - C. rule out
hypoglycemia by assessing his blood sugar, but suspect a right-sided ischemic stroke.
The involuntary, rhythmic movement of the eyes is called: - CORRECT ANSWER - D.
nystagmus
Which of the following would have the MOST negative effect on the outcome of a patient with
an intracranial hemorrhage? - CORRECT ANSWER - C. Hypotension
As intracranial pressure rises: - CORRECT ANSWER - B. cerebral herniation may occur.
ACTUAL Exam Questions and CORRECT
Answers
During a generalized tonic/clonic seizure, the patient is rigid and his back is arched. This
represents the _________ phase of the seizure. - CORRECT ANSWER - A. Hypertonic
An idiopathic seizure is one in which: - CORRECT ANSWER - A. the cause is not known.
In contrast to a benign neoplasm, a malignant neoplasm: - CORRECT ANSWER - C .can
metastasize to other parts of the body.
A neoplasm is MOST accurately defined as a: - CORRECT ANSWER - D. New Growth
You are dispatched to a residence for a middle-aged woman with generalized weakness of
approximately 18 hours' duration. Your primary assessment reveals right-sided hemiparesis, a
left-sided facial droop, and bilaterally equal and reactive pupils. Further assessment reveals that
her blood glucose level is 70 mg/dL. En route to the hospital, you note increased movement of
her right arm. She is receiving oxygen via nasal cannula and has a patent IV line in place. Which
of the following statements regarding this scenario is correct? - CORRECT ANSWER - C.
Although the patient is likely experiencing a TIA, you should treat her as though she is
experiencing a stroke.
A 33-year-old woman had an apparent syncopal episode. According to her husband, she
complained of dizziness shortly before the episode. He further states that he caught her before
she fell to the ground. Upon your arrival, the patient is conscious but confused and is sitting in a
chair. Her blood pressure is 90/60 mm Hg, pulse rate is 110 beats/min and weak, and respirations
are 22 breaths/min and regular. Her blood glucose level is 74 mg/dL. The MOST likely cause of
her syncopal episode is: - CORRECT ANSWER - B. dehydration.
In contrast to syncope, a seizure: - CORRECT ANSWER - A. can occur when the patient
is in any position.
, A 19-year-old man presents with a decreased level of consciousness. According to his girlfriend,
he has no known medical problems and takes no medications. Initial treatment for this patient
involves: - CORRECT ANSWER - C. ensuring airway patency and adequate breathing.
A woman brings her 18-year-old son to your EMS station. The patient is actively seizing and,
according to the mother, has been seizing for the past 10 minutes. She states that her son has a
history of seizures and takes Depakote. The patient is cyanotic, is breathing erratically, and has
generalized muscle twitching to all extremities. You should: - CORRECT ANSWER - B.
open his airway and begin assisting his ventilations, establish an IV or IO line, and administer 5
to 10 mg of diazepam.
For any patient with an increase in intracranial pressure, the paramedic must: - CORRECT
ANSWER - D. maintain an adequate blood pressure.
Prehospital treatment for a patient with a suspected stroke may include all of the following,
EXCEPT: - CORRECT ANSWER - A. up to 325 mg of aspirin.
An elderly man presents with slurred speech, confusion, and unilateral facial asymmetry. When
asked to squeeze your hands, the strength in his left hand is markedly less than the strength in his
right hand. The patient's wife tells you that her husband has type 2 diabetes and hypertension. On
the basis of your clinical findings, you should: - CORRECT ANSWER - C. rule out
hypoglycemia by assessing his blood sugar, but suspect a right-sided ischemic stroke.
The involuntary, rhythmic movement of the eyes is called: - CORRECT ANSWER - D.
nystagmus
Which of the following would have the MOST negative effect on the outcome of a patient with
an intracranial hemorrhage? - CORRECT ANSWER - C. Hypotension
As intracranial pressure rises: - CORRECT ANSWER - B. cerebral herniation may occur.
