Outdoor Emergency Care Chapter 11

When assessing a patient with a possible stroke, the OEC technician should first work on:

• identifying risk factors for stroke.

• determining if there is a family history of stroke.

• recognizing the signs of a stroke.

• determining the type of stroke.

Which of the following instructions to a possible stroke patient describes the proper procedure for assessing an arm drift?

• “Hold your arms up over your head for 20 seconds.”

• “Grab my fingers with both hands and squeeze as hard as you can.”

• “Raise your hands above your head and close your eyes.”

• “Hold your arms straight out in front of you with your palms facing up with your eyes closed.”

Which of the following questions is critical for establishing a window of treatment for a patient who is weak and dizzy and may have suffered a stroke?

• “Does your father have a history of heart problems or stroke?”

• “What time did the weakness and dizziness start?”

• “What medications do you take?”

• “Do you have any pain in your arms or legs?”

You have assessed a patient and found a patent airway, adequate breathing, and a strong radial pulse. The patient is having no difficulty speaking and no facial droop, but exhibits a slight left arm drift. You should interpret these findings as:

• not suggestive of a stroke.

• suggestive of a stroke only if the patient’s blood pressure is also elevated.

• suggestive of a stroke only if the patient’s pupils are not equal.

• suggestive that a stroke may be occurring.

Which of the following statements shows that the speaker has an accurate understanding of assessment findings related to stroke?

• “For a stroke to be suspected, both arms must be equally weak.”

• “If one arm is weak, a stroke should be suspected.”

• “A stroke should be suspected only when one arm is paralyzed, not just weak.”

• “If one arm is weak, stroke should be suspected only if the patient’s blood pressure is also elevated.”

You have been called for a 63-year-old woman with slurred speech and right arm weakness. On arrival, the patient informs you that the slurred speech and weakness have resolved. Since your assessment reveals no deficits, you would tell the patient:

• “It would be best to start taking one baby aspirin every day; this will decrease the chance of this happening again.”

• “Sometimes seizures present this way; call your doctor in the morning to schedule an appointment.”

• “If this happens again, wait 10 minutes to see if you are okay. If the symptoms don’t go away, call 911.”

• “You really need to be evaluated in the hospital. You could be having a stroke.”

Your assessment reveals a drooling 48-year-old male to have gurgling speech and left arm paralysis. Which of the following would be your priority?

• Suction the patient’s airway.

• Protect the patient’s left arm.

• Determine the patient’s risk factors for stroke.

• Monitor the patient’s blood pressure.

Which of the following events best describes an ischemic stroke?

• An artery in the brain has ruptured.

• Blood has collected throughout the brain tissue.

• A heart attack has occurred at the same time as a stroke.

• A blood clot has obstructed a blood vessel in the brain.

Which of the following statements indicates that the speaker understands hemorrhagic strokes?

• “They occur when clots form in blood vessels in the brain.”

• “They occur when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures.”

• “Their signs and symptoms generally resolve within 24 hours.”

• “They can sometimes be treated by clot-destroying medications.”

The signs and symptoms of a transient ischemic attack (TIA):

• are temporary and resolve within 24 hours.

• can persist for a few days before they resolve.

• are mild but permanent.

• are mild but permanent.

  
  

  are severe and permanent.