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Question 1
What mnemonic is used to identify the most common causes of altered mental status in the prehospital setting?
Answer: AEIOU-TIPS: Alcohol, Epilepsy, Insulin, Opiates, Uremia, Trauma, Infection, Psychiatric, Stroke/Seizure.
Question 2
What is the Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale, and what are its three components?
Answer: A rapid stroke assessment tool that evaluates facial droop, arm drift, and abnormal speech. Any single abnormal finding suggests stroke.
Question 3
A patient presents with unilateral facial droop, slurred speech, and arm weakness that began 45 minutes ago. What is the priority action?
Answer: Perform a rapid stroke assessment, establish the time of symptom onset, and transport immediately to a stroke center. Time is critical for thrombolytic therapy.
Question 4
What is the postictal state, and how long does it typically last?
Answer: The postictal state is the period of decreased responsiveness, confusion, and exhaustion that follows a seizure. It typically lasts minutes to up to 30 minutes.
Question 5
What defines status epilepticus, and why is it a life threat?
Answer: Status epilepticus is a seizure lasting more than 30 minutes, or two or more seizures without a return to full consciousness between them. It can cause hypoxia, brain injury, and death.