EMD Neurological Emergency Protocols

Question 1

Which symptom combination during caller interrogation is most consistent with an acute ischemic stroke?

Accepted Answer

Sudden facial drooping, arm weakness, and slurred speech

Answer

Gradual onset headache with nausea and light sensitivity

Answer

Chest pain radiating to the left arm with diaphoresis

Answer

Sudden shortness of breath with productive cough

Question 2

When a caller reports a patient is actively seizing, what is the EMD dispatcher's immediate priority?

Accepted Answer

Ensure the patient is safe and will not be injured

Answer

Ask the caller to restrain the patient

Answer

Determine the patient's seizure history

Answer

Ask the caller to put something in the patient's mouth

Question 3

In EMD neurological protocols, what does the rapid consciousness assessment scale 'AVPU' stand for?

Accepted Answer

Alert, Verbal, Pain, Unresponsive

Answer

Airway, Ventilation, Pulse, Unconscious

Answer

Assess, Verify, Prioritize, Update

Answer

Activate, Ventilate, Position, Unload

Question 4

A dispatcher receives a call about a 65-year-old who suddenly cannot speak and has right-sided arm weakness. What should the dispatcher assume until proven otherwise?

Accepted Answer

Acute stroke

Answer

Hypertensive crisis

Answer

Hypoglycemic emergency

Answer

Transient ischemic attack

Question 5

What pre-arrival instruction is most appropriate for a patient who has just stopped seizing and is now unresponsive but breathing?

Accepted Answer

Place the patient in the recovery (lateral recumbent) position

Answer

Place the patient on their back with legs elevated

Answer

Keep the patient seated upright to maintain the airway

Answer

Begin CPR immediately

Question 6

Which question during caller interrogation best helps distinguish a stroke from a hypoglycemic emergency?

Accepted Answer

Has the patient eaten recently or taken insulin?

Answer

Does the patient have a history of heart disease?

Answer

Has the patient had a recent head injury?

Answer

Is the patient taking blood pressure medication?

Question 7

A caller describes a patient with sudden onset of the 'worst headache of their life.' What should the EMD dispatcher suspect?

Accepted Answer

Subarachnoid hemorrhage

Answer

Migraine headache

Answer

Tension headache

Answer

Cluster headache