AEMCA AEMCA - Advanced Emergency Medical Care Assistant Neurological Emergencies Questions and Answers 2

Question 1

A 68-year-old patient presents with sudden painless vision loss in one eye, described as a 'curtain coming down.' What vascular emergency does this suggest?

Accepted Answer

Central retinal artery occlusion

Answer

Acute angle-closure glaucoma

Answer

Retinal detachment

Answer

Optic neuritis

Question 2

Which prehospital intervention is most important for a patient with a suspected large ischemic stroke and last known well time of 1 hour?

Accepted Answer

Rapid transport to a stroke center with pre-notification

Answer

Administer aspirin 324 mg PO

Answer

Establish two large-bore IVs and bolus 1 L NS

Answer

Apply supplemental oxygen regardless of SpO2

Question 3

Decerebrate posturing (extensor posturing) in a head-injured patient indicates injury at which level?

Accepted Answer

Brainstem (midbrain/pons)

Answer

Cortex

Answer

Spinal cord

Answer

Cerebellum

Question 4

A patient's blood pressure is 220/120 mmHg after an ischemic stroke. In the prehospital setting, what is the correct approach?

Accepted Answer

Do not treat unless BP exceeds 220/120 or patient is symptomatic beyond stroke

Answer

Aggressively lower BP to below 140 systolic

Answer

Administer labetalol 20 mg IV immediately

Answer

Give sublingual nitroglycerin

Question 5

Which sign differentiates meningitis from a simple headache in a patient with fever and neck stiffness?

Accepted Answer

Both Kernig's and Brudzinski's signs

Answer

Kernig's sign

Answer

Babinski's sign

Answer

Brudzinski's sign

Question 6

A 45-year-old diabetic patient is found unresponsive. Blood glucose reads 32 mg/dL. After administering dextrose, the patient does not improve. What should you consider?

Accepted Answer

Concurrent neurological emergency such as stroke

Answer

The glucometer is inaccurate

Answer

Administer more dextrose immediately

Answer

Insulin overdose requiring glucagon