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
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
