Chapter 17 Neurological Emergencies
UPDATED ACTUAL Exam Questions and
CORRECT Answers
A 30-year-old male experienced a generalized (tonic-clonic) seizure, which stopped before you
arrived at the scene. The patient is conscious, is answering your questions appropriately, and
refuses EMS transport. Which of the following would be the MOST compelling reason to
disagree with his refusal of transport? - CORRECT ANSWER - He is currently not
prescribed any medications
A patient who is possibly experiencing a stroke is NOT eligible for thrombolytic (fibrinolytic)
therapy if he or she: - CORRECT ANSWER - has bleeding within the brain.
A patient whose speech is slurred and difficult to understand is experiencing: - CORRECT
ANSWER - dysarthria.
A patient with an altered mental status is - CORRECT ANSWER - not thinking clearly or
is incapable of being aroused.
During the primary assessment of a semiconscious 70-year-old female, you should: - CORRECT
ANSWER - ensure a patent airway and support ventilation as needed.
Interruption of cerebral blood flow may result from all of the following, EXCEPT: - CORRECT
ANSWER - cerebral vasodilation.
The left cerebral hemisphere controls: - CORRECT ANSWER - the right side of the body.
The MOST significant risk factor for a hemorrhagic stroke is: - CORRECT ANSWER -
hypertension.
, The three major parts of the brain are the: - CORRECT ANSWER - cerebrum, cerebellum,
and brain stem.
When assessing for arm drift of a patient with a suspected stroke, you should: - CORRECT
ANSWER - ask the patient to close his or her eyes during the assessment.
When caring for a patient with documented hypoglycemia, you should be MOST alert for: -
CORRECT ANSWER - a seziure
When you are obtaining medical history from the family of a suspected stroke patient, it is
MOST important to determine: - CORRECT ANSWER - when the patient last appeared
normal.
Which of the following conditions would be the LEAST likely to mimic the signs and symptoms
of a stroke? - CORRECT ANSWER - Hypovolemia
Which of the following conditions would MOST likely affect the entire brain? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Respiratory failure or cardiopulmonary arrest
Which of the following MOST accurately describes a simple partial seizure? - CORRECT
ANSWER - A seizure that begins in one extremity
Which of the following MOST accurately describes what the patient will experience during the
postictal state that follows a seizure? - CORRECT ANSWER - Confusion and fatigue
Which of the following symptoms would lead the EMT to believe that a patient's headache is
caused by sinus congestion? - CORRECT ANSWER - The pain is worse when bending
over
You are caring for a 68-year-old man with sudden onset of left-sided paralysis and slurred
speech. His airway is patent, his respirations are 14 breaths/min with adequate depth, and his
UPDATED ACTUAL Exam Questions and
CORRECT Answers
A 30-year-old male experienced a generalized (tonic-clonic) seizure, which stopped before you
arrived at the scene. The patient is conscious, is answering your questions appropriately, and
refuses EMS transport. Which of the following would be the MOST compelling reason to
disagree with his refusal of transport? - CORRECT ANSWER - He is currently not
prescribed any medications
A patient who is possibly experiencing a stroke is NOT eligible for thrombolytic (fibrinolytic)
therapy if he or she: - CORRECT ANSWER - has bleeding within the brain.
A patient whose speech is slurred and difficult to understand is experiencing: - CORRECT
ANSWER - dysarthria.
A patient with an altered mental status is - CORRECT ANSWER - not thinking clearly or
is incapable of being aroused.
During the primary assessment of a semiconscious 70-year-old female, you should: - CORRECT
ANSWER - ensure a patent airway and support ventilation as needed.
Interruption of cerebral blood flow may result from all of the following, EXCEPT: - CORRECT
ANSWER - cerebral vasodilation.
The left cerebral hemisphere controls: - CORRECT ANSWER - the right side of the body.
The MOST significant risk factor for a hemorrhagic stroke is: - CORRECT ANSWER -
hypertension.
, The three major parts of the brain are the: - CORRECT ANSWER - cerebrum, cerebellum,
and brain stem.
When assessing for arm drift of a patient with a suspected stroke, you should: - CORRECT
ANSWER - ask the patient to close his or her eyes during the assessment.
When caring for a patient with documented hypoglycemia, you should be MOST alert for: -
CORRECT ANSWER - a seziure
When you are obtaining medical history from the family of a suspected stroke patient, it is
MOST important to determine: - CORRECT ANSWER - when the patient last appeared
normal.
Which of the following conditions would be the LEAST likely to mimic the signs and symptoms
of a stroke? - CORRECT ANSWER - Hypovolemia
Which of the following conditions would MOST likely affect the entire brain? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Respiratory failure or cardiopulmonary arrest
Which of the following MOST accurately describes a simple partial seizure? - CORRECT
ANSWER - A seizure that begins in one extremity
Which of the following MOST accurately describes what the patient will experience during the
postictal state that follows a seizure? - CORRECT ANSWER - Confusion and fatigue
Which of the following symptoms would lead the EMT to believe that a patient's headache is
caused by sinus congestion? - CORRECT ANSWER - The pain is worse when bending
over
You are caring for a 68-year-old man with sudden onset of left-sided paralysis and slurred
speech. His airway is patent, his respirations are 14 breaths/min with adequate depth, and his
