Podcast
Questions and Answers
A short backboard or vest-style immobilization device is indicated for patients who:
A short backboard or vest-style immobilization device is indicated for patients who:
When assessing a conscious patient with a mechanism of injury that suggests spinal injury, you should:
When assessing a conscious patient with a mechanism of injury that suggests spinal injury, you should:
After your partner assumes manual in-line stabilization of the patient's head, you should:
After your partner assumes manual in-line stabilization of the patient's head, you should:
During your primary assessment of a semiconscious 30-year-old female with closed head trauma, you note that she has slow, irregular breathing and a slow, bounding pulse. As your partner maintains manual in-line stabilization of her head, you should:
During your primary assessment of a semiconscious 30-year-old female with closed head trauma, you note that she has slow, irregular breathing and a slow, bounding pulse. As your partner maintains manual in-line stabilization of her head, you should:
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In the setting of a head injury, hypertension, bradycardia, and Biot respirations indicate:
In the setting of a head injury, hypertension, bradycardia, and Biot respirations indicate:
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The most important immediate treatment for patients with a head injury, regardless of severity, is to:
The most important immediate treatment for patients with a head injury, regardless of severity, is to:
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A patient who cannot remember the events that preceded his or her head injury is experiencing:
A patient who cannot remember the events that preceded his or her head injury is experiencing:
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When assessing a patient with a head injury, you note the presence of thin, bloody fluid draining from his right ear. This indicates:
When assessing a patient with a head injury, you note the presence of thin, bloody fluid draining from his right ear. This indicates:
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When caring for a patient with a possible head injury, it is most important to monitor the patient's:
When caring for a patient with a possible head injury, it is most important to monitor the patient's:
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Which of the following statements regarding the cranium is correct?
Which of the following statements regarding the cranium is correct?
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Bleeding within the brain tissue itself is called a(n):
Bleeding within the brain tissue itself is called a(n):
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The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is used to assess:
The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is used to assess:
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When immobilizing a child on a long backboard, you should:
When immobilizing a child on a long backboard, you should:
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Which of the following nerves allow sensory and motor impulses to be sent from one nerve directly to another?
Which of the following nerves allow sensory and motor impulses to be sent from one nerve directly to another?
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A 45-year-old male was working on his roof when he fell approximately 12 feet, landing on his feet. He is conscious and alert and complains of an ache in his lower back. He is breathing adequately and has stable vital signs. You should:
A 45-year-old male was working on his roof when he fell approximately 12 feet, landing on his feet. He is conscious and alert and complains of an ache in his lower back. He is breathing adequately and has stable vital signs. You should:
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A patient with a head injury presents with abnormal flexion of his extremities. What numeric value should you assign to him for motor response?
A patient with a head injury presents with abnormal flexion of his extremities. What numeric value should you assign to him for motor response?
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Which of the following skull fractures would be the least likely to present with palpable deformity or other outward signs?
Which of the following skull fractures would be the least likely to present with palpable deformity or other outward signs?
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The ___________ is the best-protected part of the CNS and controls the functions of the cardiac and respiratory systems.
The ___________ is the best-protected part of the CNS and controls the functions of the cardiac and respiratory systems.
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It would be most appropriate to perform a focused secondary assessment on a patient who:
It would be most appropriate to perform a focused secondary assessment on a patient who:
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Following a head injury, a 20-year-old female opens her eyes spontaneously, is confused, and obeys your commands to move her extremities. You should assign her a GCS score of:
Following a head injury, a 20-year-old female opens her eyes spontaneously, is confused, and obeys your commands to move her extremities. You should assign her a GCS score of:
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During your primary assessment of a 19-year-old unconscious male who experienced severe head trauma, you note that his respirations are rapid, irregular, and shallow. He has bloody secretions draining from his mouth and nose. You should:
During your primary assessment of a 19-year-old unconscious male who experienced severe head trauma, you note that his respirations are rapid, irregular, and shallow. He has bloody secretions draining from his mouth and nose. You should:
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An epidural hematoma is most accurately defined as:
An epidural hematoma is most accurately defined as:
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Coordination of balance and body movement is controlled by the:
Coordination of balance and body movement is controlled by the:
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In contrast to a cerebral concussion, a cerebral contusion:
In contrast to a cerebral concussion, a cerebral contusion:
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Once a cervical collar has been applied to a patient with a possible spinal injury, it should not be removed unless:
Once a cervical collar has been applied to a patient with a possible spinal injury, it should not be removed unless:
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Signs and symptoms that might be found in a patient who has experienced a concussion include:
Signs and symptoms that might be found in a patient who has experienced a concussion include:
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The __________ nervous system consists of 31 pairs of spinal nerves and 12 pairs of cranial nerves.
The __________ nervous system consists of 31 pairs of spinal nerves and 12 pairs of cranial nerves.
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The central nervous system (CNS) is composed of the:
The central nervous system (CNS) is composed of the:
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The frontal and parietal bones of the skull are especially susceptible to:
The frontal and parietal bones of the skull are especially susceptible to:
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The hormone responsible for the actions of the sympathetic nervous system is:
The hormone responsible for the actions of the sympathetic nervous system is:
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The ideal procedure for moving an injured patient from the ground to a backboard is:
The ideal procedure for moving an injured patient from the ground to a backboard is:
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The most reliable sign of a head injury is:
The most reliable sign of a head injury is:
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The spinal cord is encased in and protected by the:
The spinal cord is encased in and protected by the:
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The tough, fibrous outer meningeal layer is called the:
The tough, fibrous outer meningeal layer is called the:
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What part of the nervous system controls the body's voluntary activities?
What part of the nervous system controls the body's voluntary activities?
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When a patient experiences a severe spinal injury, he or she:
When a patient experiences a severe spinal injury, he or she:
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When opening the airway of a patient with a suspected spinal injury, you should use the:
When opening the airway of a patient with a suspected spinal injury, you should use the:
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When placing a patient onto a long backboard, the EMT at the patient's __________ is in charge of all patient movements:
When placing a patient onto a long backboard, the EMT at the patient's __________ is in charge of all patient movements:
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Which of the following interventions may be used to help reduce intracranial pressure?
Which of the following interventions may be used to help reduce intracranial pressure?
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You should be most suspicious that a patient has experienced a significant head injury if his or her pulse is:
You should be most suspicious that a patient has experienced a significant head injury if his or her pulse is:
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Study Notes
Immobilization and Assessment
- Short backboard or vest-style immobilization is recommended for patients in a sitting position and clinically stable.
- In cases suggesting spinal injury, ensure strength in all extremities is equal during patient assessment.
- After applying manual in-line stabilization to a patient's head, assess distal neurovascular status in the extremities.
Primary Assessment and Response
- In a case of a semiconscious patient with closed head trauma, instruct assistance with ventilations while performing a rapid assessment.
- Symptoms of head injury such as hypertension, bradycardia, and Biot respirations suggest brain stem herniation.
- The most crucial immediate treatment for head injuries is establishing an adequate airway.
Types of Amnesia and Symptoms
- Retrograde amnesia occurs when a patient cannot recall events preceding their head injury.
- Thin, bloody fluid from the ear signals a potential tympanic membrane rupture from a head impact.
- The level of consciousness is a critical measure in head injury patient care.
Anatomy and Physiology
- Eighty percent of the cranium is occupied by brain tissue.
- An intracerebral hematoma indicates bleeding within brain tissue.
- The Glasgow Coma Scale assesses eye opening, verbal response, and motor response.
Pediatric Care and Nerve Function
- When immobilizing a child on a long backboard, use padding under the shoulders for comfort.
- Connecting nerves facilitate sensory and motor impulses between nerves.
Patient Scenarios and Injury Management
- For a patient with spinal complications after a fall, immobilize the spine and conduct a focused secondary examination.
- A motor response score of 3 indicates abnormal flexion of extremities.
- Linear skull fractures are least likely to present deformities.
CNS Structure and Protection
- The brain stem is the most protected part of the CNS; it governs cardiac and respiratory functions.
- A focused secondary assessment is warranted if a patient fainted from standing.
- After head injuries, a GCS score of 14 indicates spontaneous eye opening and confusion.
Emergency Protocols
- Immediate suctioning may be necessary for unconscious patients with severe head trauma to clear secretions.
- Epidural hematomas result from bleeding between the skull and dura mater.
- Coordination of balance and movement is primarily managed by the cerebellum.
Concussions vs. Contusions
- A cerebral contusion involves physical injury to the brain, unlike a concussion that may not cause such injury.
- It is crucial to keep the cervical collar in place unless it negatively impacts airway management.
Signs and Symptoms of Injury
- Nausea and ringing in the ears can signal a concussion.
- The peripheral nervous system consists of spinal and cranial nerves, crucial for overall body function.
CNS Composition
- The central nervous system is composed of the brain and spinal cord.
- Depressed skull fractures are particularly susceptible in the frontal and parietal bones.
Sympathetic Nervous System Response
- Epinephrine is the key hormone driving sympathetic nervous system reactions.
- Use a four-person log roll for safe patient transfer from the ground to a backboard.
Intracranial Pressure Management
- A slow pulse in a patient raises suspicion of significant head injury.
- Elevating the head at a 30-degree angle can help reduce intracranial pressure.
Studying That Suits You
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Description
Test your knowledge on the key concepts from Chapter 29 of Emergency Care. These flashcards cover assessments and immobilization devices used in emergency situations. Perfect for students preparing for exams or reviewing critical information.
