OEC Medical Conditions & Ongoing Care 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A skier complains of sudden severe headache, stiff neck, and sensitivity to light. Which condition should you suspect?
- Migraine headache
- Meningitis (Correct answer)
- Hypothermia
- Altitude sickness
Correct answer: Meningitis
Sudden severe headache, nuchal rigidity (stiff neck), and photophobia are classic signs of meningitis, a life-threatening emergency.
Question 2: During ongoing assessment of a diabetic patient who has received oral glucose, you notice no improvement after 15 minutes. What is the most appropriate next action?
- Administer a second dose of oral glucose
- Reassess blood glucose and consider ALS activation (Correct answer)
- Have the patient rest and wait longer
- Give the patient water to drink
Correct answer: Reassess blood glucose and consider ALS activation
If a diabetic patient shows no improvement 15 minutes after oral glucose, reassess blood glucose and activate ALS since IV dextrose may be needed.
Question 3: A patient with a known history of epilepsy has a seizure lasting 5 minutes and then stops. They are now in a postictal state. What is the priority of care?
- Restrain the patient to prevent injury
- Protect airway, position laterally, and monitor closely (Correct answer)
- Administer oxygen only if cyanosis is present
- Encourage the patient to stand and walk it off
Correct answer: Protect airway, position laterally, and monitor closely
Postictal patients are confused and have compromised airway reflexes; lateral positioning protects the airway and close monitoring is essential.
Question 4: Which finding during ongoing assessment best indicates worsening of a patient's respiratory condition?
- Respiratory rate of 16 breaths per minute
- Increasing use of accessory muscles with declining SpO2 (Correct answer)
- Occasional productive cough
- Mild wheezing on exertion
Correct answer: Increasing use of accessory muscles with declining SpO2
Increased accessory muscle use combined with falling oxygen saturation indicates progressive respiratory failure requiring immediate intervention.
Question 5: A backcountry skier experiences sudden chest pain radiating to the left arm and diaphoresis at altitude. What should the OEC technician suspect first?
- Pulmonary embolism
- Acute myocardial infarction (Correct answer)
- Spontaneous pneumothorax
- Aortic dissection
Correct answer: Acute myocardial infarction
Classic AMI presentation includes chest pain radiating to the left arm with diaphoresis; physical exertion at altitude increases cardiac demand.
Question 6: When performing ongoing assessment, how frequently should you reassess a stable patient's vital signs in the backcountry?
- Every 5 minutes
- Every 15 minutes (Correct answer)
- Every 30 minutes
- Only at initial assessment and at handoff
Correct answer: Every 15 minutes
Stable patients should be reassessed every 15 minutes to detect any changes in condition during transport or prolonged care.
Question 7: A patient with COPD is found in respiratory distress. Which oxygen delivery consideration is most relevant for this population?
- Avoid all oxygen as it will cause apnea immediately
- Use high-flow oxygen without concern, just like any patient
- Titrate oxygen to maintain SpO2 around 88–92% to avoid suppressing hypoxic drive (Correct answer)
- Oxygen is contraindicated in COPD patients in the field
Correct answer: Titrate oxygen to maintain SpO2 around 88–92% to avoid suppressing hypoxic drive
Some COPD patients rely on hypoxic drive; targeting SpO2 of 88–92% delivers necessary oxygen without fully abolishing their respiratory stimulus.
OEC Medical Conditions & Ongoing Care 2
A skier complains of sudden severe headache, stiff neck, and sensitivity to light.
Which condition should you suspect?