EMT CH 18

what makes a transient ischemic attack different fr a stroke

it resolves on its own

what is postictal state

period following a seizure

what makes a focal seizure diff fr a generalized seizure

focal starts in one part of the brain

syncope is a precursor to seizure

false

• fainting spell unrelated to seizure

syncope mainly affects older adults

false

postictal state is characterized by hemiparesis, or weakness + numbness on one side of the body

false

febrile seizures are caused by fevers in child patients

true

causes of demential that are permanent + irreversible

parkinsons disease

what does V in AVPU stand for

response to verbal stimuli

which is most commonly used in prehospital setting

cincinnati prehospital stroke scale

which of these is the most difficult to identify

dementia

brain sensitive to changes in

temperature, glucose,

what can cause ischemic stroke

thrombosis

atherosclerosis

buildup of plaque in walls of BVs

what’s caused by a stroke in the L hemisphere

paralysis on the R side of the body

what conditions have symptoms that mimic stroke

• hypoglycemia

• hypoxemia

• delirium

• hypoxia

what should you be most concerned w/

maintaining ABCS

patient exhibiting slurred speech, facial drop, inability to move L arm, which neuro exam emphasizes possible stroke signs

cincinnati prehospital stroke scale

which occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is cut off by blockage → tissue damage

ischemic stroke

what is the name of the condition when the patient forgets abt the injured side after a stroke

neglect

patient experiences seizure, which finding indicates status epilepticus

seizure lasting longer than 30 min

what’s a metabolic cause for a seizure

hypoglycemia

pt suffers fr stroke + seizure. what condition mimics a stroke + causes a seizure

hypoglycemia

what key ways does BE-FAST stroke scale differ fr cincinnati prehospital stroke scale

assesses patient’s balance + eyes, helps detect posterior circulation strokes

disorder of brain where brain cells stop functioning bc insufficient O2, causing stroke like symptoms

ischemic attack

pts who experienced ischemic stroke, important to determine time when they were last seen bc

pt may be a candidate for treatment w/ fibrinolytic therapy

58 YO male w/ confusion, R sided weakness, slurred speech, airway = patent + breathing = adequate. wife = present + upset, immediate priority

asking his wife when she noticed the symptoms

pt experiencing aphasia is

unable to produce or understand speech

a pt who’s possibly experiencing a stroke is not eligible for thrombolytic (fibrinolytic) therapy if they

have bleeding in the brain

status epilepticus is characterized by

prolonged seizures w/o a return of consciousness

most basic functions of the body - breathing, BP, swallowing are controlled by the

brainstem

which of the following conditions would be the least likely to mimic the signs + symptoms of a stroke

hypovolemia

which of the following most accurately describes the cause of an ischemic stroke

blockage of a cerebral artery

a 41 YO man w/ slow irregular breathing, hypotension, dilated pupils, signs indicate dysfunction of the

brainstem

acute ischemic stroke is caused by

a blocked cerebral artery

a 56 YO man experienced a sudden, severe headache + then became unresponsive, he has a history of high BP. the most likely cause of his condition

hemorrhagic stroke

a transient ischemic attack is NOT characterized by

symptoms that persist for longer than 24 hours

a pt w/ a suspected stroke presents w/ slurred speech that’s difficult for you to understand, this is referred to as

dysarthria

a type of seizure that is characterized by severe twitching of all the body’s muscles + lasts for several minutes or longer is called a

generalized seizure

the most important reason for promptly transporting a stroke pt to the hospital is

medications may be given to reverse the stroke

components of the cincinnati prehospital stroke scale

• facial symmetry, speech, arm drift

pt opens his eyes when you say his name, making incomprehensible sounds, withdraws when you pinch his earlobe, what is his GCS score

9

if a pt complains of severe migrane, how should she be transported

w/o lights + sirens