EMT FINAL EXAM CH 19-24 questions and answers
2026\2027 A+ Grade
What are causes of altered mental status?
- correct answer Generally due to either a structural or a toxic-metabolic problem
Structural: lesions or destruction of brain tissue
-ex) tumor, hemorrhage, trauma, degenerative diseases, stroke
Toxic-metabolic: toxins or lack of metabolic substances
-ex) hypoxia (most common cause of AMS), hyper/hypoglycemia, liver failure, kidney failure, poisoning,
infection
What is the role of glucose in the body?
- correct answer -body's basic source of energy
-cells require glucose to remain alive and create energy
What are the functions of insulin?
- correct answer -secreted when blood glucose level is elevated (above 90 mg/dL)
-binds to receptor sites on cells
-decreases blood glucose levels
-allows large glucose molecule to move from blood into cells
S/S of hypoglycemia
- correct answer -very rapid onset (usually <20 mins)
-most common sign is AMS (may mimic drunken stupor)
-pale, sweaty skin
-weakness
-dizziness
-tachycardia
, -rapid breathing
-hunger
-seizures
-stroke like symptoms
S/S of hyperglycemia
- correct answer -develops over days or weeks
-chronic thirst (polydipsia)
-chronic hunger (polyphagia)
-increased urination (polyuria)
-nausea/vomiting
-dehydration
-tachycardia
-AMS
Oral glucose
- correct answer Indications
-history of diabetes
-AMS
-awake enough to swallow
Contraindications
-unresponsive
-confirmed blood sugar >60 mg/dL
Dosage
-one tube
Administration
-patient squeezes glucose from tube directly into mouth
-EMT can administer glucose using tongue depressor
-reassess
2026\2027 A+ Grade
What are causes of altered mental status?
- correct answer Generally due to either a structural or a toxic-metabolic problem
Structural: lesions or destruction of brain tissue
-ex) tumor, hemorrhage, trauma, degenerative diseases, stroke
Toxic-metabolic: toxins or lack of metabolic substances
-ex) hypoxia (most common cause of AMS), hyper/hypoglycemia, liver failure, kidney failure, poisoning,
infection
What is the role of glucose in the body?
- correct answer -body's basic source of energy
-cells require glucose to remain alive and create energy
What are the functions of insulin?
- correct answer -secreted when blood glucose level is elevated (above 90 mg/dL)
-binds to receptor sites on cells
-decreases blood glucose levels
-allows large glucose molecule to move from blood into cells
S/S of hypoglycemia
- correct answer -very rapid onset (usually <20 mins)
-most common sign is AMS (may mimic drunken stupor)
-pale, sweaty skin
-weakness
-dizziness
-tachycardia
, -rapid breathing
-hunger
-seizures
-stroke like symptoms
S/S of hyperglycemia
- correct answer -develops over days or weeks
-chronic thirst (polydipsia)
-chronic hunger (polyphagia)
-increased urination (polyuria)
-nausea/vomiting
-dehydration
-tachycardia
-AMS
Oral glucose
- correct answer Indications
-history of diabetes
-AMS
-awake enough to swallow
Contraindications
-unresponsive
-confirmed blood sugar >60 mg/dL
Dosage
-one tube
Administration
-patient squeezes glucose from tube directly into mouth
-EMT can administer glucose using tongue depressor
-reassess
