Altered Mental Status - 15 Mins - EMT B - Quiz, Flashcards & Trivia

1. Your patient is a 13-year-old female. Witnesses tell you her behavior changed suddenly. She has sweaty skin and complains of feeling hungry. Of the following, she is most likely to be suffering a/an:

Diabetic emergency

Cardiac emergency

Respiratory emergency

Allergic reaction

Based on the given symptoms, such as sudden change in behavior, sweaty skin, and feeling hungry, the patient is most likely suffering from a diabetic emergency. These symptoms are commonly associated with low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia) in individuals with diabetes. It is important to note that a proper diagnosis should be made by a medical professional.

Explanation

Based on the given symptoms, such as sudden change in behavior, sweaty skin, and feeling hungry, the patient is most likely suffering from a diabetic emergency. These symptoms are commonly associated with low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia) in individuals with diabetes. It is important to note that a proper diagnosis should be made by a medical professional.

2. Your 49 year old male patient is sleepy and suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning. Your treatment includes:

Asking the patient to breathe into a paper bag

Administering oxygen

Administering activated charcoal

Administering oral glucose

Administering oxygen is the correct answer because carbon monoxide poisoning reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. By providing supplemental oxygen, the patient's oxygen levels can be increased, helping to alleviate the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning and prevent further complications.

Explanation

Administering oxygen is the correct answer because carbon monoxide poisoning reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. By providing supplemental oxygen, the patient's oxygen levels can be increased, helping to alleviate the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning and prevent further complications.

3. Altered mental status is less likely to be caused by which one

Drug overdose

Low blood sugar

Head trauma

Chest pain

Altered mental status is less likely to be caused by chest pain because chest pain typically refers to discomfort or pain in the chest area, which can be a symptom of various conditions like heart problems, lung issues, or gastrointestinal disorders. While severe chest pain can cause anxiety or stress, it is not directly associated with altered mental status. On the other hand, drug overdose, low blood sugar, and head trauma can all lead to changes in mental status due to their impact on the brain and its functioning.

Explanation

Altered mental status is less likely to be caused by chest pain because chest pain typically refers to discomfort or pain in the chest area, which can be a symptom of various conditions like heart problems, lung issues, or gastrointestinal disorders. While severe chest pain can cause anxiety or stress, it is not directly associated with altered mental status. On the other hand, drug overdose, low blood sugar, and head trauma can all lead to changes in mental status due to their impact on the brain and its functioning.

4. You suspect that your nearly unconscious male patient has ingested sleeping pills and alcohol. He is breathing inadequately. You should immediately

Give oxygen by nasal cannula.

Administer activated charcoal.

Administer syrup of ipecac.

Manage the airway.

In this scenario, the patient is showing signs of inadequate breathing, which could be potentially life-threatening. Therefore, the immediate priority should be to manage the airway to ensure that the patient can breathe properly. Giving oxygen by nasal cannula may help improve oxygenation, but it does not address the underlying issue of inadequate breathing. Administering activated charcoal or syrup of ipecac is not appropriate in this situation as they are used for treating poisoning, which is not confirmed in this case. Managing the airway is the most critical step to ensure the patient's safety and well-being.

Explanation

In this scenario, the patient is showing signs of inadequate breathing, which could be potentially life-threatening. Therefore, the immediate priority should be to manage the airway to ensure that the patient can breathe properly. Giving oxygen by nasal cannula may help improve oxygenation, but it does not address the underlying issue of inadequate breathing. Administering activated charcoal or syrup of ipecac is not appropriate in this situation as they are used for treating poisoning, which is not confirmed in this case. Managing the airway is the most critical step to ensure the patient's safety and well-being.

5. Your patient is a conscious but slightly drowsy 16-year-old female. She states she swallowed an unknown number of sleeping pills. You should ask all of the following questions EXCEPT:

"Who gave you the pills?"

"Has anyone tried to treat you with anything?"

"How much do you weigh?"

"Over how long a period did you take the pills?"

The question "Who gave you the pills?" is not relevant in this situation because the focus should be on assessing the patient's condition and providing immediate medical care. The information about who gave the pills can be obtained later during the investigation process. The other three questions are important for understanding the severity of the situation and determining the appropriate treatment plan.

Explanation

The question "Who gave you the pills?" is not relevant in this situation because the focus should be on assessing the patient's condition and providing immediate medical care. The information about who gave the pills can be obtained later during the investigation process. The other three questions are important for understanding the severity of the situation and determining the appropriate treatment plan.

6. A 20-year-old patient appears dazed and seems to have lost contact with reality. The mucous membranes of his nose and mouth are swollen. He complains of a "funny numb feeling" inside his head. This patient is exhibiting signs and symptoms of drug abuse, most likely from

Uppers

Downers

Hallucinogens

Volatile chemicals

The patient's symptoms of swollen mucous membranes, dazed appearance, and loss of contact with reality are consistent with the effects of volatile chemicals. Volatile chemicals are substances that produce fumes or vapors that can be inhaled, leading to a range of symptoms including confusion, altered perception, and respiratory irritation. The patient's complaint of a "funny numb feeling" inside his head further supports the possibility of volatile chemical abuse. Uppers, downers, and hallucinogens typically produce different sets of symptoms and would not explain the specific symptoms described by the patient.

Explanation

The patient's symptoms of swollen mucous membranes, dazed appearance, and loss of contact with reality are consistent with the effects of volatile chemicals. Volatile chemicals are substances that produce fumes or vapors that can be inhaled, leading to a range of symptoms including confusion, altered perception, and respiratory irritation. The patient's complaint of a "funny numb feeling" inside his head further supports the possibility of volatile chemical abuse. Uppers, downers, and hallucinogens typically produce different sets of symptoms and would not explain the specific symptoms described by the patient.