Chapter 18 Neurological Emergencies
UPDATED 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.
A. hypertonic
B. tonic
C. clonic
D. postictal - CORRECT ANSWER - A. Hypertonic
An idiopathic seizure is one in which:
A. the cause is not known.
B. the entire brain is affected.
C. a part of the brain is affected.
D. a postictal phase is not present. - CORRECT ANSWER - A. the cause is not known.
In contrast to a benign neoplasm, a malignant neoplasm:
A. results in death in the vast majority of cases.
,B. remains within a capsule and grows minimally.
C. can metastasize to other parts of the body.
D. is relatively easy to remove surgically. - CORRECT ANSWER - C .can metastasize to
other parts of the body.
A neoplasm is MOST accurately defined as a:
A. normal cell.
B. damaged cell.
C. cancerous tumor.
D. new growth. - 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?
A. The patient's signs and symptoms are likely the result of her blood sugar and will resolve with
dextrose.
B. The patient will likely receive fibrinolytic therapy in the emergency department if no
contraindications exist.
, C. Although the patient is likely experiencing a TIA, you should treat her as though she is
experiencing a stroke.
D. You should administer nitroglycerin or labetalol - 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:
A. a vasovagal response.
B. dehydration.
C. a seizure.
D. acute hypoglycemia. - CORRECT ANSWER - B. dehydration.
In contrast to syncope, a seizure:
A. can occur when the patient is in any position.
B. most often occurs when the patient is standing.
C. is less commonly observed in older patients.
UPDATED 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.
A. hypertonic
B. tonic
C. clonic
D. postictal - CORRECT ANSWER - A. Hypertonic
An idiopathic seizure is one in which:
A. the cause is not known.
B. the entire brain is affected.
C. a part of the brain is affected.
D. a postictal phase is not present. - CORRECT ANSWER - A. the cause is not known.
In contrast to a benign neoplasm, a malignant neoplasm:
A. results in death in the vast majority of cases.
,B. remains within a capsule and grows minimally.
C. can metastasize to other parts of the body.
D. is relatively easy to remove surgically. - CORRECT ANSWER - C .can metastasize to
other parts of the body.
A neoplasm is MOST accurately defined as a:
A. normal cell.
B. damaged cell.
C. cancerous tumor.
D. new growth. - 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?
A. The patient's signs and symptoms are likely the result of her blood sugar and will resolve with
dextrose.
B. The patient will likely receive fibrinolytic therapy in the emergency department if no
contraindications exist.
, C. Although the patient is likely experiencing a TIA, you should treat her as though she is
experiencing a stroke.
D. You should administer nitroglycerin or labetalol - 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:
A. a vasovagal response.
B. dehydration.
C. a seizure.
D. acute hypoglycemia. - CORRECT ANSWER - B. dehydration.
In contrast to syncope, a seizure:
A. can occur when the patient is in any position.
B. most often occurs when the patient is standing.
C. is less commonly observed in older patients.
