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

Central retinal artery occlusion presents as sudden, painless, monocular vision loss and is an ocular stroke requiring immediate treatment.

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

Rapid transport with advance notification to a stroke center minimizes door-to-needle time for tPA or endovascular intervention.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

Brainstem (midbrain/pons)

Answer

Decerebrate posturing reflects brainstem injury at the midbrain or pons level and indicates severe neurological compromise.

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

In ischemic stroke, permissive hypertension maintains cerebral perfusion; prehospital providers should generally avoid lowering BP unless directed by medical control.

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

Both Kernig's sign (resistance to knee extension with hip flexed) and Brudzinski's sign (involuntary hip flexion with neck flexion) indicate meningeal irritation.

AEMCA - Advanced Emergency Medical Care Assistant Practice Test

AEMCA - Advanced Emergency Medical Care Assistant Practice Test

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