Question 1

Of the four patients listed below, which one should be categorized as the highest priority for transport?

Accepted Answer

A)  Young adult with a history of seizures and a fever of 102°F 
B)  Pregnant female with a history of seizures who is seizing 
C)  Postictal patient who has stopped taking his seizure medication 
D)  Adolescent patient who states he recalls seizing earlier in the day 
A)  Young adult with a history of seizures and a fever of 102°F 
B)  Pregnant female with a history of seizures who is seizing 
C)  Postictal patient who has stopped taking his seizure medication 
D)  Adolescent patient who states he recalls seizing earlier in the day B

Question 2

The EMT shows that she understands the danger posed by status epilepticus when she states:

Accepted Answer

A)  "Status epilepticus is an extremely dangerous condition because the patient can go into shock from blood loss." 
B)  "If the patient does not have a history of seizures, he is at greater risk for status epilepticus." 
C)  "The longer the seizure continues, the greater the opportunity for permanent brain damage." 
D)  "Status epilepticus indicates that the medications a patient is taking have reached toxic levels in the body." 
A)  "Status epilepticus is an extremely dangerous condition because the patient can go into shock from blood loss." 
B)  "If the patient does not have a history of seizures, he is at greater risk for status epilepticus." 
C)  "The longer the seizure continues, the greater the opportunity for permanent brain damage." 
D)  "Status epilepticus indicates that the medications a patient is taking have reached toxic levels in the body." C

Question 3

When obtaining a medical history from the family of a seizure patient, what question is most important for the EMT to ask first?

Accepted Answer

A)  "How long has he had his seizure condition?" 
B)  "Why do you think that his tongue is bleeding?" 
C)  "Does he take his seizure medications as prescribed?" 
D)  "Was he grunting and breathing hard during the seizure?" 
A)  "How long has he had his seizure condition?" 
B)  "Why do you think that his tongue is bleeding?" 
C)  "Does he take his seizure medications as prescribed?" 
D)  "Was he grunting and breathing hard during the seizure?" C

Question 4

You have been called for a seizure emergency. On scene you find an adult female actively seizing with bystanders attempting to restrain her. You would:

Accepted Answer

A)  place a padded tongue blade into the patient's mouth. 
B)  loosen any restrictive clothing the patient is wearing. 
C)  instruct the bystanders to release the patient. 
D)  have bystanders to continue restraining while you complete the primary assessment. 
A)  place a padded tongue blade into the patient's mouth. 
B)  loosen any restrictive clothing the patient is wearing. 
C)  instruct the bystanders to release the patient. 
D)  have bystanders to continue restraining while you complete the primary assessment.

Question 5

You arrive on scene and find Emergency Medical Responders with a seizing patient. What question should the EMT ask first?

Accepted Answer

A)  "How long has the patient been seizing?" 
B)  "What are the patient's vital signs?" 
C)  "Did the patient lose control of his bladder?" 
D)  "Do you know what medications the patient is taking?" 
A)  "How long has the patient been seizing?" 
B)  "What are the patient's vital signs?" 
C)  "Did the patient lose control of his bladder?" 
D)  "Do you know what medications the patient is taking?"

Question 6

You believe that a patient suffered a simple partial (focal motor) seizure. What statement made by the patient would reinforce this suspicion?

Accepted Answer

A)  "I cannot remember anything that happened. I must have passed out!" 
B)  "I think that I may have lost control of my bladder and bit my tongue." 
C)  "My left arm would not stop shaking. I did not know what was happening." 
D)  "I remember my arms and legs shaking, and then I can't remember anything else!" 
A)  "I cannot remember anything that happened. I must have passed out!" 
B)  "I think that I may have lost control of my bladder and bit my tongue." 
C)  "My left arm would not stop shaking. I did not know what was happening." 
D)  "I remember my arms and legs shaking, and then I can't remember anything else!"

Question 7

You have been called to an alcoholic rehabilitation center for a 56-year-old male patient whose left arm suddenly began to shake uncontrollably. He is alert and oriented, and he is terrified that he cannot stop his arm from moving. What type of seizure should you suspect?

Accepted Answer

A)  Complex partial 
B)  Generalized 
C)  Simple partial 
D)  Psychomotor 
A)  Complex partial 
B)  Generalized 
C)  Simple partial 
D)  Psychomotor

Question 8

The EMT would recognize a focal motor seizure when she observes:

Accepted Answer

A)  jerky muscular activity of a single extremity. 
B)  repetitive actions like lip smacking or finger rolling. 
C)  blank staring which begins and ends abruptly. 
D)  abrupt personality changes including fits of rage. 
A)  jerky muscular activity of a single extremity. 
B)  repetitive actions like lip smacking or finger rolling. 
C)  blank staring which begins and ends abruptly. 
D)  abrupt personality changes including fits of rage.

Question 9

You are called to a residence for seizure activity. On location the patient's daughter tells you that her diabetic father stated that he suddenly felt dizzy and then he fell to the floor. Within a few seconds, he began asking what had happened and why he was on the floor. Based on this description, the EMT should recognize which one of the following conditions?

Accepted Answer

A)  Generalized seizure 
B)  Diabetic reaction 
C)  Aura of a pending seizure 
D)  Syncopal episode 
A)  Generalized seizure 
B)  Diabetic reaction 
C)  Aura of a pending seizure 
D)  Syncopal episode

Question 10

Friends of a male patient who suffered a generalized seizure are worried because he cannot remember the seizure. You should inform them that this is a(n):

Accepted Answer

A)  concern since most people can remember the seizure. 
B)  normal finding common among those who suffer this type of seizure. 
C)  important piece of information that warrants immediate transport to the hospital. 
D)  unrelated event to the seizure and may indicate a more serious medical problem. 
A)  concern since most people can remember the seizure. 
B)  normal finding common among those who suffer this type of seizure. 
C)  important piece of information that warrants immediate transport to the hospital. 
D)  unrelated event to the seizure and may indicate a more serious medical problem.

Question 11

Which one of the following patient medications is most consistent with a history of seizures?

Accepted Answer

A)  Celexa 
B)  Prozac 
C)  Xopenex 
D)  Depakote 
A)  Celexa 
B)  Prozac 
C)  Xopenex 
D)  Depakote

Question 12

It is important that the EMT recognize that a complex partial (psychomotor) seizure can easily be mistaken for a(n):

Accepted Answer

A)  asthma exacerbation. 
B)  left-sided stroke. 
C)  absence (petit mal) seizure. 
D)  alcohol intoxication. 
A)  asthma exacerbation. 
B)  left-sided stroke. 
C)  absence (petit mal) seizure. 
D)  alcohol intoxication.

Question 13

Which one of the following seizure patients is most at risk for problems to the airway and breathing?

Accepted Answer

A)  32-year-old male who has stopped taking his seizure medications and suffered a seizure 
B)  23-year-old female with a history of seizures and has been seizing for 14 minutes 
C)  11-year-old postictal boy with no history of seizures but is mentally retarded 
D)  76-year-old female who takes anticonvulsant medications and just began seizing 
A)  32-year-old male who has stopped taking his seizure medications and suffered a seizure 
B)  23-year-old female with a history of seizures and has been seizing for 14 minutes 
C)  11-year-old postictal boy with no history of seizures but is mentally retarded 
D)  76-year-old female who takes anticonvulsant medications and just began seizing

Question 14

When treating a patient who has had a seizure, the most important aspect of providing care is to:

Accepted Answer

A)  ensure that the patient does not bite his or her tongue. 
B)  identify the type and duration of seizure, as well as a history of seizures. 
C)  provide high-concentration oxygen to ensure adequate oxygenation of the brain. 
D)  assess for and manage any life-threatening condition found. 
A)  ensure that the patient does not bite his or her tongue. 
B)  identify the type and duration of seizure, as well as a history of seizures. 
C)  provide high-concentration oxygen to ensure adequate oxygenation of the brain. 
D)  assess for and manage any life-threatening condition found.

Question 15

Which one of the following statements related to the pathophysiology of seizures is correct?

Accepted Answer

A)  "A seizure occurs when the heart beats irregularly, causing a decreased amount of oxygen-rich blood to reach the brain." 
B)  "All seizures are caused by epilepsy, which describes a problem somewhere in the body." 
C)  "A seizure condition describes a muscle problem that causes the arms and legs to jerk." 
D)  "A seizure occurs when there is a massive and uncoordinated electrical discharge in the brain." 
A)  "A seizure occurs when the heart beats irregularly, causing a decreased amount of oxygen-rich blood to reach the brain." 
B)  "All seizures are caused by epilepsy, which describes a problem somewhere in the body." 
C)  "A seizure condition describes a muscle problem that causes the arms and legs to jerk." 
D)  "A seizure occurs when there is a massive and uncoordinated electrical discharge in the brain."

Question 16

Which one of the following offers the best explanation of why a patient experiencing a syncopal episode regains consciousness after falling?

Accepted Answer

A)  The act of falling causes the heart rate to decrease. 
B)  The supine position allows more blood to perfuse the brain. 
C)  The trauma of falling causes the blood glucose level to increase. 
D)  The seizure stops once the patient is supine. 
A)  The act of falling causes the heart rate to decrease. 
B)  The supine position allows more blood to perfuse the brain. 
C)  The trauma of falling causes the blood glucose level to increase. 
D)  The seizure stops once the patient is supine.

Question 17

Which one of the following patient statements reinforces your suspicion of syncope?

Accepted Answer

A)  "I think that I may have had a seizure." 
B)  "Once I hit the floor, I was only out for a few seconds." 
C)  "I have had a low-grade fever for the past three days." 
D)  "I was lying on the bed when I passed out." 
A)  "I think that I may have had a seizure." 
B)  "Once I hit the floor, I was only out for a few seconds." 
C)  "I have had a low-grade fever for the past three days." 
D)  "I was lying on the bed when I passed out."

Question 18

Which one of the following statements about seizures is true?

Accepted Answer

A)  "Patients who have seizures are at increased risk for stroke." 
B)  "All seizures are caused by some form of brain injury." 
C)  "Seizures may be caused by a variety of medical conditions." 
D)  "If the cause of a seizure is unknown, it is classified as status epilepticus." 
A)  "Patients who have seizures are at increased risk for stroke." 
B)  "All seizures are caused by some form of brain injury." 
C)  "Seizures may be caused by a variety of medical conditions." 
D)  "If the cause of a seizure is unknown, it is classified as status epilepticus."

Question 19

Status epilepticus is best differentiated from a generalized seizure by the:

Accepted Answer

A)  duration of the seizure. 
B)  length of the postictal period. 
C)  presence of an aura prior to seizing. 
D)  preexisting seizure history. 
A)  duration of the seizure. 
B)  length of the postictal period. 
C)  presence of an aura prior to seizing. 
D)  preexisting seizure history.

Question 20

An 86-year-old male has had a sudden change in mental status and is repeatedly striking a fist against his leg. When you question him, he does not respond. This presentation is most consistent with what condition?

Accepted Answer

A)  Seizure 
B)  Dementia 
C)  Stroke 
D)  Delirium 
A)  Seizure 
B)  Dementia 
C)  Stroke 
D)  Delirium

Exam 19: Seizures and Syncope

Of the four patients listed below, which one should be categorized as the highest priority for transport?

The EMT shows that she understands the danger posed by status epilepticus when she states:

When obtaining a medical history from the family of a seizure patient, what question is most important for the EMT to ask first?

You have been called for a seizure emergency. On scene you find an adult female actively seizing with bystanders attempting to restrain her. You would:

You arrive on scene and find Emergency Medical Responders with a seizing patient. What question should the EMT ask first?

You believe that a patient suffered a simple partial (focal motor) seizure. What statement made by the patient would reinforce this suspicion?

You have been called to an alcoholic rehabilitation center for a 56-year-old male patient whose left arm suddenly began to shake uncontrollably. He is alert and oriented, and he is terrified that he cannot stop his arm from moving. What type of seizure should you suspect?

The EMT would recognize a focal motor seizure when she observes:

Friends of a male patient who suffered a generalized seizure are worried because he cannot remember the seizure. You should inform them that this is a(n):

Which one of the following patient medications is most consistent with a history of seizures?

It is important that the EMT recognize that a complex partial (psychomotor) seizure can easily be mistaken for a(n):

Which one of the following seizure patients is most at risk for problems to the airway and breathing?

When treating a patient who has had a seizure, the most important aspect of providing care is to:

Which one of the following statements related to the pathophysiology of seizures is correct?

Which one of the following offers the best explanation of why a patient experiencing a syncopal episode regains consciousness after falling?

Which one of the following patient statements reinforces your suspicion of syncope?

Which one of the following statements about seizures is true?

Status epilepticus is best differentiated from a generalized seizure by the:

An 86-year-old male has had a sudden change in mental status and is repeatedly striking a fist against his leg. When you question him, he does not respond. This presentation is most consistent with what condition?

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