Neurological Emergencies: Essential Knowledge for Emergency Medical Services

Question 1

What is a common symptom of a stroke?

Accepted Answer

Sudden, severe headache

Answer

Gradual loss of consciousness

Answer

Nausea and vomiting

Answer

Elevated blood pressure

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT a typical sign or symptom of a stroke?

Accepted Answer

Nausea and vomiting

Answer

Sudden onset of weakness or numbness on one side of the body

Answer

Difficulty speaking or understanding speech

Answer

Sudden, severe headache

Question 3

What is the initial step in managing a patient experiencing a seizure?

Accepted Answer

Ensure the safety of the patient and protect from injury

Answer

Restraint the patient

Answer

Administer anticonvulsant medication

Answer

Attempt to rouse the patient

Question 4

Which of the following is a component of the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)?

Accepted Answer

Eye opening

Answer

Blood pressure

Answer

Respiratory rate

Answer

Hemoglobin level

Question 5

What is the most frequent type of head injury?

Accepted Answer

Concussion

Answer

Skull fracture

Answer

Hemorrhagic stroke

Answer

Subdural hematoma

Question 6

Which of the following is a contraindication for administering naloxone to a patient experiencing an opioid overdose?

Accepted Answer

Known allergy to naloxone

Answer

Patient is pregnant

Answer

Patient is under the age of 18

Answer

Patient has ingested other drugs

Question 7

What is the primary method for preventing seizures in a patient with epilepsy?

Accepted Answer

Anticonvulsant medication

Answer

Stress management techniques

Answer

Dietary changes

Answer

Lifestyle modifications

Question 8

What is the most appropriate nursing intervention for a patient experiencing a TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack)?

Accepted Answer

Monitor vital signs and neurological status

Answer

Administer aspirin

Answer

Position the patient in Trendelenburg position

Answer

Prepare the patient for immediate surgery

Question 9

What type of stroke occurs when blood supply to a part of the brain is blocked?

Accepted Answer

Ischemic stroke

Answer

Subarachnoid hemorrhage

Answer

Transient ischemic attack (TIA)

Answer

Hemorrhagic stroke

Question 10

In the initial assessment of a patient with a suspected head injury, which parameter is of utmost priority?

Accepted Answer

Level of consciousness

Answer

Respiratory rate

Answer

Pupillary response

Answer

Motor function

Question 11

For a patient with suspected spinal cord injury, which positioning technique should be employed?

Accepted Answer

Log roll to maintain spinal alignment

Answer

Sitting upright

Answer

Standard recovery position

Answer

Lying flat on their back

Question 12

A patient with a head injury is exhibiting a deteriorating level of consciousness. This could be an indication of:

Accepted Answer

Impending herniation

Answer

Stroke

Answer

Hypoxia

Answer

Seizure activity

Question 13

Which of the following is a potential long-term complication of a stroke?

Accepted Answer

Paralysis

Answer

Sepsis

Answer

Anaphylaxis

Answer

Cardiac arrest

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT considered a risk factor for developing seizures?

Accepted Answer

Healthy diet and lifestyle

Answer

Epilepsy

Answer

Brain tumor

Answer

Head injury

Question 15

In the management of a patient experiencing a generalized tonic-clonic seizure, the appropriate initial action is to:

Accepted Answer

Establish airway and administer benzodiazepine

Answer

Perform CPR

Answer

Give fluids intravenously

Answer

Restrict the patient's movements

Question 16

Which of the following characterizes a transient ischemic attack (TIA)?

Accepted Answer

Temporary neurological symptoms that resolve within 24 hours

Answer

Loss of consciousness

Answer

Prolonged neurological symptoms

Question 17

Which of the following is the hallmark symptom of a stroke?

Accepted Answer

Sudden onset of weakness or numbness on one side of the body

Answer

Severe headache

Answer

Nausea and vomiting

Answer

Loss of consciousness

Question 18

What is the term for a seizure that affects only a specific region of the brain?

Accepted Answer

Focal seizure

Answer

Generalized seizure

Answer

Tonic-clonic seizure

Answer

Absence seizure

Question 19

Which of the following is a strict contraindication for naloxone administration?

Accepted Answer

Known hypersensitivity to naloxone

Answer

Recent head injury

Answer

Suspected opioid overdose

Answer

Altered mental status

Question 20

What is the primary purpose of the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)?

Accepted Answer

To assess the level of consciousness and neurological function

Answer

To monitor vital signs

Answer

To determine the severity of a head injury

Question 21

Which of the following is a reflex indicative of spinal cord integrity?

Accepted Answer

Anal reflex

Answer

Gag reflex

Answer

Pupillary reflex

Question 22

What is the immediate priority in managing a patient with a suspected head injury?

Accepted Answer

Ensuring airway patency and maintaining oxygenation

Answer

Performing a comprehensive neurological exam

Answer

Administering pain medication

Answer

Immobilizing the head and neck

Question 23

Which triad of signs indicates increased intracranial pressure (ICP)?

Accepted Answer

Cushing's triad: bradycardia, hypertension, and irregular respirations

Answer

Seizures, vomiting, headache

Answer

Tachycardia, hypertension, bradypnea

Answer

Dilated pupils, bradycardia, hypotension

Question 24

What is the cornerstone of treatment for a patient with meningitis?

Accepted Answer

Prompt administration of appropriate antibiotics

Answer

Preventing complications

Answer

Reducing inflammation

Answer

Controlling seizures

Question 25

What is the most common underlying cause of acute ischemic stroke?

Accepted Answer

Embolism or blood clot blocking an artery in the brain

Answer

Thrombosis

Answer

Hemorrhage

Answer

Vasospasm

Question 26

Which of the following is the initial symptom typically experienced in a tonic-clonic seizure?

Accepted Answer

Loss of consciousness

Answer

Blurred vision

Answer

Nausea

Answer

Headache

Question 27

When managing a patient suspected of experiencing a stroke, what action should be taken as the first priority?

Accepted Answer

Activate the emergency medical services (EMS) system

Answer

Provide oxygen therapy

Answer

Conduct a thorough neurological examination

Answer

Administer aspirin

Question 28

The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is primarily used to evaluate a patient's?

Accepted Answer

Level of consciousness

Answer

Pain intensity

Answer

Respiratory rate

Answer

Blood pressure

Question 29

In the context of a head injury, what is a primary contraindication for administering oxygen?

Accepted Answer

Suspected penetrating injury to the head

Answer

Insufficient oxygen levels in the blood

Answer

Shock

Answer

Elevated carbon dioxide levels in the blood

Question 30

When assessing a patient with a suspected neurological emergency, what should be the utmost priority?

Accepted Answer

Ensuring maintenance of the patient's airway, breathing, and circulation (ABCs)

Answer

Obtaining a detailed medical history

Answer

Performing a comprehensive neurological examination

Answer

Administering pain medication

Question 31

Which of the following is a potential complication that may arise from a seizure?

Accepted Answer

Aspiration pneumonia

Answer

Stroke

Answer

Heart attack

Answer

Kidney failure

Question 32

Which of the following symptoms is characteristic of a subarachnoid hemorrhage?

Accepted Answer

Sudden onset of severe headache

Answer

Nausea and vomiting

Answer

Loss of consciousness

Answer

Gradual onset of symptoms

Question 33

What is the primary underlying cause of a transient ischemic attack (TIA)?

Accepted Answer

Atherosclerosis

Answer

Diabetes

Answer

Smoking

Answer

Hypertension

Question 34

In the prehospital management of status epilepticus, which type of medication is typically used as the primary pharmacological intervention?

Accepted Answer

Benzodiazepines

Answer

Phenytoin

Answer

Valproic acid

Answer

Levetiracetam

Question 35

Which type of stroke results from an abrupt interruption of blood supply to the brain?

Accepted Answer

Ischemic stroke

Answer

Hemorrhagic stroke

Answer

Lacunar stroke

Answer

Transient ischemic attack (TIA)

Question 36

What is the primary purpose of the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)?

Accepted Answer

Assessment of level of consciousness

Answer

Evaluation of sensory perception

Answer

Assessment of motor function

Answer

Evaluation of pupillary response

Question 37

In a patient with suspected neurological emergency, which of the following is an absolute contraindication to performing a lumbar puncture?

Accepted Answer

Presence of signs indicating elevated intracranial pressure

Answer

Abnormal coagulation profile

Answer

Recent spinal surgery

Answer

Presence of skin infection at puncture site

Question 38

In the prehospital management of basilar artery occlusion, which intervention is generally recommended?

Accepted Answer

Rapid sequence intubation with mechanical ventilation

Answer

Intravenous fluids and pain medication

Answer

Carotid massage and antiplatelet therapy

Question 39

Which of the following is a characteristic clinical feature of Guillain-Barré syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Progressive muscle weakness

Answer

Stroke-like symptoms

Answer

Headache

Answer

Seizures

Question 40

Among traumatic brain injuries (TBI), which type is considered the most prevalent?

Accepted Answer

Concussion

Answer

Skull fracture

Answer

Intracranial hemorrhage

Question 41

What is the primary purpose of the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)?

Accepted Answer

To assess the level of consciousness

Answer

To evaluate neurological function

Answer

To monitor vital signs

Answer

To measure pain intensity

Question 42

On a CT scan, which finding is consistent with an acute ischemic stroke?

Accepted Answer

Hypodensity in the affected brain area

Answer

Hyperdensity in the affected brain area

Answer

Mass effect, causing a midline shift

Question 43

Which of the following is a contraindication to performing carotid endarterectomy?

Accepted Answer

Recent myocardial infarction

Answer

Hyperlipidemia

Answer

Diabetes mellitus

Question 44

What is the term used to describe a blood clot that forms within a blood vessel in the brain?

Accepted Answer

Thrombus

Answer

Aneurysm

Answer

Hematoma

Answer

Embolus

Question 45

Which of the following is a common symptom of Guillain-Barré syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Progressive weakness of the limbs

Answer

Aphasia

Answer

Hemiplegia

Answer

Seizures

Question 46

What is the most appropriate prehospital treatment for a patient with a suspected head injury?

Accepted Answer

Cervical spine immobilization and oxygen therapy

Answer

Intubation and mechanical ventilation

Answer

Immediate administration of pain medication

Answer

Placement of a nasogastric tube

Question 47

A patient presents with sudden onset of slurred speech, facial droop, and weakness in one side of their body.  Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Stroke

Answer

Seizure

Answer

Migraine

Answer

Hypoglycemia

Question 48

You are caring for a patient with a suspected stroke. Which of the following interventions is contraindicated in the prehospital setting?

Accepted Answer

Administering aspirin

Answer

Maintaining a patent airway

Answer

Providing supplemental oxygen

Answer

Assessing the patient's level of consciousness

Question 49

A patient experiencing a seizure is currently in the postictal state. What is the most appropriate action for the EMT to take?

Accepted Answer

Monitor the patient's vital signs, level of consciousness, and provide reassurance.

Answer

Restraining the patient's movements

Answer

Administering glucose intravenously

Question 50

Which of the following is a common symptom of a head injury?

Accepted Answer

Confusion

Answer

Hypotension

Answer

Bradycardia

Answer

Hypertension

Question 51

A patient with a suspected head injury is complaining of a headache and dizziness. Which of the following actions should the EMT take?

Accepted Answer

Maintain the patient's airway, breathing, and circulation, and immobilize the head and neck.

Answer

Administering analgesics for the headache

Answer

Encouraging the patient to move their head to assess for neck pain

Question 52

You are called to a scene where a patient is experiencing a generalized seizure. Which of the following actions is NOT part of the initial assessment?

Accepted Answer

Administering diazepam intravenously

Answer

Timing the duration of the seizure

Answer

Protecting the patient from injury

Answer

Assessing the patient's airway

Question 53

Which of the following is a common sign of a spinal cord injury?

Accepted Answer

Loss of sensation and/or movement in the extremities

Answer

Increased heart rate

Answer

Hypertension

Answer

Pupillary constriction

Question 54

You are caring for a patient with a suspected spinal cord injury. What is the most important consideration in managing this patient?

Accepted Answer

Maintaining spinal immobilization

Answer

Providing oxygen

Answer

Monitoring blood pressure

Answer

Administering analgesics

Question 55

What is a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)?

Accepted Answer

A temporary neurological deficit caused by a brief interruption of blood flow to the brain, which resolves within 24 hours.

Answer

A type of stroke caused by a bleed in the brain

Question 56

A patient with a history of seizures is found unconscious and unresponsive.  Which of the following should be the EMT's primary concern?

Accepted Answer

Ensuring an open airway and protecting the patient from further injury.

Answer

Administering anti-seizure medication

Answer

Determining the cause of the seizure

Answer

Transporting the patient to the hospital immediately