EMD Neurological Emergency Protocols 2

Question 1

Status epilepticus is defined as a seizure lasting longer than how many minutes, or recurrent seizures without regaining consciousness between them?

Accepted Answer

5 minutes

Answer

Status epilepticus is defined as continuous seizure activity lasting 5 or more minutes, or two or more seizures without full recovery of consciousness between them.

Question 2

What is the most common trigger for febrile seizures in pediatric patients?

Accepted Answer

Rapid rise in body temperature

Answer

Febrile seizures in children are most commonly triggered by a rapid rise in body temperature rather than by the absolute temperature value, occurring most often between ages 6 months and 5 years.

Question 3

When a caller reports a patient with altered mental status (AMS), which question is LEAST useful for the EMD dispatcher?

Accepted Answer

What is the patient's favorite color?

Answer

During an AMS call, all questions must focus on identifying life-threatening causes; personal preference questions provide no clinically useful information.

Question 4

A caller states the patient 'just passed out but woke up right away' with no seizure activity or confusion. This presentation most closely describes:

Accepted Answer

Syncope (vasovagal episode)

Answer

Brief loss of consciousness with rapid and complete return to baseline mental status without convulsions is characteristic of syncope, most often from a vasovagal response.

Question 5

In neurological emergencies, what is the significance of unequal pupils (anisocoria) reported by a caller during interrogation?

Accepted Answer

It may indicate increased intracranial pressure or brainstem herniation

Answer

Unequal pupils in the context of altered mental status or trauma can indicate life-threatening increased intracranial pressure or brainstem herniation, warranting highest-priority dispatch.

(EMD) Emergency Medical Dispatch Practice Test

(EMD) Emergency Medical Dispatch Practice Test

EMD Neurological Emergency Protocols 2