DCAS Neurological Emergencies

Question 1

Which component is NOT part of the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)?

Accepted Answer

Pupil reactivity

Answer

Eye opening

Answer

Verbal response

Answer

Motor response

Question 2

A patient presents with sudden facial drooping on the right side, right arm weakness, and slurred speech. Which mnemonic best helps identify this as a stroke?

Accepted Answer

FAST

Answer

SAMPLE

Answer

OPQRST

Answer

AEIOU-TIPS

Question 3

A patient is in active tonic-clonic seizure lasting more than 5 minutes. What is the first-line pre-hospital treatment?

Accepted Answer

IM/IV midazolam or IV diazepam

Answer

IV phenytoin 15 mg/kg

Answer

IV lorazepam 4 mg only

Answer

Oral diazepam

Question 4

A 60-year-old male presents with sudden-onset confusion, diaphoresis, and focal weakness. Blood glucose reads 2.1 mmol/L. What is the priority intervention?

Accepted Answer

Administer IV dextrose 50% or glucagon IM

Answer

Administer aspirin 300 mg

Answer

Activate stroke protocol

Answer

Perform a 12-lead ECG

Question 5

Which of the following best describes a Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA)?

Accepted Answer

A neurological deficit that resolves completely within 24 hours without infarction

Answer

A stroke with permanent deficit lasting over 24 hours

Answer

A haemorrhagic event in the cerebellum

Answer

A seizure mimicking stroke symptoms

Question 6

A postictal patient is unresponsive but breathing adequately. What is the most appropriate position?

Accepted Answer

Recovery (lateral) position

Answer

Supine with legs elevated

Answer

Seated upright at 90 degrees

Answer

Prone position

Question 7

When assessing spinal cord injury in the field, which finding suggests a complete spinal cord injury at the cervical level?

Accepted Answer

Tetraplegia with loss of sensation in all four limbs

Answer

Paraplegia with preserved upper limb function

Answer

Loss of sensation below the umbilicus only

Answer

Isolated loss of bladder control