NREMT Neurological Emergencies & Stroke Cares 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient experienced stroke-like symptoms that fully resolved within 30 minutes. This is most consistent with:
- A transient ischemic attack (TIA) (Correct answer)
- A completed ischemic stroke
- A hemorrhagic stroke
- A seizure
Correct answer: A transient ischemic attack (TIA)
A TIA produces temporary stroke symptoms that resolve, but it is a warning sign of future stroke.
Question 2: During a generalized tonic-clonic seizure, the EMT's first priority is to:
- Protect the patient from injury and maintain the airway (Correct answer)
- Restrain the patient's limbs firmly
- Insert a bite block between the teeth
- Administer oral glucose
Correct answer: Protect the patient from injury and maintain the airway
Preventing injury and keeping the airway clear are the priorities during active seizing.
Question 3: The period of confusion and drowsiness following a seizure is called the:
- Postictal state (Correct answer)
- Aura
- Ictal phase
- Prodrome
Correct answer: Postictal state
The postictal state is the recovery period after a seizure marked by confusion and fatigue.
Question 4: Continuous seizures lasting more than 5 minutes or repeated seizures without recovery is termed:
- Status epilepticus (Correct answer)
- Absence seizure
- Febrile seizure
- Syncope
Correct answer: Status epilepticus
Status epilepticus is a true emergency requiring rapid transport and ALS intervention.
Question 5: A diabetic patient is found unresponsive with cool, sweaty skin and a rapid pulse. The most likely cause is:
- Hypoglycemia (Correct answer)
- Ischemic stroke
- Hyperglycemia
- Subdural hematoma
Correct answer: Hypoglycemia
Cool, diaphoretic skin with rapid pulse in a diabetic strongly suggests hypoglycemia.
Question 6: An altered mental status patient is best initially evaluated using which scale?
- AVPU scale (Correct answer)
- Cincinnati Stroke Scale
- Apgar score
- Glasgow Birth Scale
Correct answer: AVPU scale
The AVPU scale (Alert, Verbal, Painful, Unresponsive) quickly grades level of responsiveness.
Question 7: Which of the following is a common cause of altered mental status remembered by the mnemonic AEIOU-TIPS?
- Hypoxia and hypoglycemia (Correct answer)
- Fractured femur
- Sprained ankle
- Sunburn
Correct answer: Hypoxia and hypoglycemia
AEIOU-TIPS captures many reversible causes including hypoxia, hypoglycemia, infection, and stroke.
NREMT Neurological Emergencies & Stroke Cares 3
A patient experienced stroke-like symptoms that fully resolved within 30 minutes.
This is most consistent with: