neurology
What medication is commonly used to stop a prolonged seizure in the field?
Benzodiazepines (e.g., midazolam, lorazepam, or diazepam).
What is the preferred route for administering dextrose in an unresponsive hypoglycemic patient?
Intravenous (IV) push
What are the hallmark signs of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)?
Chronic cough, sputum production, and progressive dyspnea.
What are the three stages of labor?
Dilation, expulsion, and placental delivery.
What is the preferred method for assessing circulation in infants?
check the brachial pulse
What is the priority intervention for a patient actively seizing?
Protect the airway and prevent injury — do not place anything in the patient’s mouth.
What is the most immediate treatment for a conscious patient with hypoglycemia?
Oral glucose if the patient can swallow safely.
What is the preferred treatment for a severe asthma attack unresponsive to albuterol?
Administration of epinephrine (1:1,000) IM and continued oxygen/ventilatory support.
What is a sign of imminent delivery?
Crowning (the baby’s head visible at the vaginal opening)
What is the most common cause of cardiac arrest in pediatric patients?
Respiratory failure or hypoxia.
What is the most important prehospital assessment tool for evaluating stroke?
The Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale (CPSS) or FAST (Face, Arm, Speech, Time)
What blood glucose level typically defines hypoglycemia?
Below 70 mg/dL.
What are the signs of an upper airway obstruction in a conscious patient?
Inability to speak, high-pitched stridor, and use of accessory muscles.
What is the normal range for fetal heart rate?
120–160 beats per minute.
What are signs of respiratory distress in an infant or young child?
Nasal flaring, grunting, intercostal retractions, and head bobbing.
What is the difference between an ischemic stroke and a hemorrhagic stroke?
Ischemic stroke is caused by a clot blocking blood flow; hemorrhagic stroke is caused by bleeding into the brain tissue.
What are the three “P’s” of hyperglycemia?
Polyuria, polydipsia, and polyphagia.
What are the primary indications for continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) use?
Respiratory distress from pulmonary edema or COPD exacerbation with adequate spontaneous respirations.
How should you position a pregnant trauma patient after 20 weeks gestation?
Tilt the patient to the left (or elevate right hip) to relieve pressure on the inferior vena cava.
What is the appropriate compression-to-ventilation ratio for two-rescuer CPR on a child or infant?
15:2 Ratio
What are common signs of increased intracranial pressure (ICP)?
Cushing’s triad: bradycardia, hypertension with widened pulse pressure, and irregular respirations.
What are the key differences between diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS)?
DKA occurs mainly in type 1 diabetes and includes acidosis and ketones; HHS occurs in type 2 diabetes with severe hyperglycemia but no significant ketoacidosis.
What is the difference between oxygenation and ventilation?
Oxygenation is the process of adding oxygen to the blood; ventilation is the movement of air in and out of the lungs for gas exchange.
What should you do if a baby is born but not breathing after 30 seconds of stimulation and drying?
Begin positive pressure ventilation (PPV) with a bag-valve mask.
What is the formula for estimating a child’s weight in kilograms (ages 1–10)?
(Age × 2) + 8 = weight in kg.