EMD Neurological Emergency Protocols 3

Question 1

The Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale (CPSS) assesses which three clinical components?

Accepted Answer

Facial droop, arm drift, and abnormal speech

Answer

Pupil response, arm drift, and level of consciousness

Answer

Blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate

Answer

Facial droop, grip strength, and visual disturbance

Question 2

What is the 'postictal state' that EMD dispatchers may encounter during seizure calls?

Accepted Answer

The period of confusion, drowsiness, or weakness immediately after a seizure ends

Answer

The period of increased seizure activity just before a seizure ends

Answer

The prodromal aura that occurs before a seizure begins

Answer

Permanent neurological deficit after status epilepticus

Question 3

Why is it important for the EMD dispatcher to ask about medication use when interrogating a caller about a patient with altered mental status?

Accepted Answer

To identify potential overdoses, missed doses, or interactions causing AMS

Answer

To determine if the patient has insurance coverage

Answer

To update the patient's records in the dispatch computer

Answer

To determine which hospital has the patient's prior records

Question 4

A caller reports a known diabetic patient who is confused and not responding normally but is conscious and able to swallow. What pre-arrival instruction is appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Give the patient orange juice or a sugar source

Answer

Give the patient water to dilute blood sugar

Answer

Perform the Heimlich maneuver

Answer

Lay the patient flat and apply ice packs to the head

Question 5

Which neurological emergency presentation represents the highest dispatch priority in EMD?

Accepted Answer

Patient with sudden onset unresponsiveness and agonal/abnormal breathing

Answer

Known epileptic patient who had a brief seizure and is now fully alert

Answer

Patient reporting a mild headache with some dizziness

Answer

Patient with TIA history reporting temporary vision changes that resolved

Question 6

When a caller describes stroke symptoms that resolved completely within one hour, this presentation is most consistent with:

Accepted Answer

A transient ischemic attack (TIA)

Answer

A completed stroke with spontaneous resolution

Answer

A complex or hemiplegic migraine

Answer

A focal seizure with Todd's paralysis

Question 7

What should the EMD dispatcher do if a caller states that a seizing patient 'has a DNR order'?

Accepted Answer

Continue the full response, as a DNR does not apply to a treatable emergency like a seizure

Answer

Cancel the emergency response immediately

Answer

Downgrade to a non-emergency response priority

Answer

Request the caller fax the DNR before units are dispatched