Patient Assessment
Which of the following findings should concern the EMT the MOST when assessing a patient who complains of a headache?
A) Sinus congestion
B) Neck stiffness or pain
C) History of migraines
D) Slow onset of symptoms
B) Neck stiffness or pain
The three major parts of the brain are the:
A) cerebellum, medulla, and occiput.
B) brain stem, midbrain, and spinal cord.
C) midbrain, cerebellum, and spinal cord.
D) cerebrum, cerebellum, and brain stem.
D) cerebrum, cerebellum, and brain stem.
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True/ False: Your sympathetic nervous system controls your "feeding and breeding" functions of the body.
False
12. A 40-year-old patient without a history of seizures experiences a generalized (tonic-clonic) seizure. The LEAST likely cause of this seizure is:
A) epilepsy.
B) a brain tumor.
C) a serious infection.
D) intracranial bleeding.
A) epilepsy
Which of the following MOST accurately describes the cause of an ischemic stroke?
A) Blockage of a cerebral artery
B) Acute atherosclerotic disease
C) Rupture of a cerebral artery
D) Narrowing of a carotid artery
A) Blockage of a cerebral artery
Which of the following is characteristic of a focal-onset aware seizure?
A) Absence of breathing
B) Normal level of consciousness
C) No change in vision, smell, or taste
D) Generalized twitching of all muscles
B) Normal level of consciousness
The most basic functions of the body, such as breathing, blood pressure, and swallowing, are controlled by the:
A) brain stem.
B) cerebrum.
C) cerebellum.
D) cerebral cortex.
A) brain stem.
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A patient who is possibly experiencing a stroke is NOT eligible for thrombolytic (fibrinolytic) therapy if he or she:
A) has had a prior heart attack.
B) is older than 60 years of age.
C) has a GCS score that is less than 8.
D) has bleeding within the brain.
D) has bleeding within the brain.
Status epilepticus is characterized by:
A) generalized seizures that last less than 5 minutes.
B) an absence seizure that is not preceded by an aura.
C) profound tachycardia and total muscle flaccidity.
D) prolonged seizures without a return of consciousness.
D) prolonged seizures without a return of consciousness.
Which of the following clinical signs is MOST suggestive of a ruptured aneurysm?
A) Unilateral hemiparesis
B) Confusion and weakness
C) Nasal discharge of blood
D) Sudden, severe headache
D) Sudden, severe headache
Febrile seizures:
A) often result in permanent brain damage.
B) are also referred to as absence seizures.
C) are usually benign but should be evaluated.
D) occur when a child’s fever rises slowly.
C) are usually benign but should be evaluated
Muscle control and body coordination are controlled by the:
A) cerebrum.
B) cerebellum.
C) brain stem.
D) cerebral cortex.
B) cerebellum.
A patient who is experiencing aphasia is:
A) not able to swallow without choking.
B) experiencing a right hemispheric stroke.
C) unable to produce or understand speech.
D) usually conscious but has slurred speech
C) unable to produce or understand speech.
Which of the following MOST accurately describes the cause of an ischemic stroke?
A) Blockage of a cerebral artery
B) Acute atherosclerotic disease
C) Rupture of a cerebral artery
D) Narrowing of a carotid artery
A) Blockage of a cerebral artery
True/ False: A TIA is not a real stroke and the patient does not need to be transported to the hospital.
False: TIA is a "mini" stroke and can lead to a full stroke over time.
Components of the Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale include:
A) speech, pupil reaction, and memory.
B) arm drift, memory, and grip strength.
C) arm drift, speech, and facial droop.
D) facial droop, speech, and pupil size.
C) arm drift, speech and facial droop
The spinal cord exits the cranium through the:
A) foramen magnum.
B) vertebral foramen.
C) foramen lamina.
D) cauda equina.
A) Formen magnum
Signs and symptoms of a stroke can mimic signs and symptoms of what disease processes?
A. Sepsis
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Dementia
D. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypoglycemia
What is known as the "master" gland within the brain? (controls multiple body functions such as growth)
A. Pineal
B. Thymus
C. Hypothalamus
D. Pituitary
D. Pituitary
You are aiding a patient who has displayed signs and symptoms of a stroke. They are complaining of a headache and ask you for pain medication. What can you assist them with?
A. their prescribed nitroglycerin
B. naloxone
C. 324mg of aspirin
D. none of the above
D. none of the above
Status epilepticus is characterized by:
A) generalized seizures that last less than 5 minutes.
B) an absence seizure that is not preceded by an aura.
C) profound tachycardia and total muscle flaccidity.
D) prolonged seizures without a return of consciousness.
D) prolonged seizures without a return of consciousness.
Which lobe of the brain is responsible for a persons personality?
A. Parietal lobe
B. Occipital lobe
C. Frontal lobe
D. Temporal lobe
C. Frontal lobe
Which of the following clinical signs is MOST suggestive of a ruptured aneurysm?
A) Unilateral hemiparesis
B) Confusion and weakness
C) Nasal discharge of blood
D) Sudden, severe headache
D) Sudden, severe headache
When assessing for arm drift of a patient with a suspected stroke, you should:
A) observe movement of the arms for approximately 2 minutes.
B) expect to see one arm slowly drift down to the patient’s side.
C) ask the patient to close his or her eyes during the assessment.
D) ask the patient to hold his or her arms up with the palms down.
C) ask the patient to close his or her eyes during the assessment.
Name the main hormone released when the sympathetic nervous system activates the "fight or flight response."
A. cortisol
B. norepinephrine
C. acetylcholine
D. adrenaline
D. adrenaline