EMR EMR Medical Emergencies and Special Populations 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient presents with sudden onset severe headache described as 'the worst headache of my life.' What condition should the EMR suspect?
- Migraine headache
- Subarachnoid hemorrhage (Correct answer)
- Tension headache
- Cluster headache
Correct answer: Subarachnoid hemorrhage
A sudden, severe 'thunderclap' headache is a classic warning sign of subarachnoid hemorrhage and requires immediate emergency care.
Question 2: When caring for a patient in a diabetic emergency who is conscious, which action is most appropriate?
- Administer insulin immediately
- Give oral glucose if the patient can swallow (Correct answer)
- Withhold all food and fluids
- Position the patient supine and monitor
Correct answer: Give oral glucose if the patient can swallow
A conscious diabetic patient who can swallow should receive oral glucose to rapidly raise blood sugar levels.
Question 3: A patient with a known seizure disorder is postictal. What is the EMR's priority action?
- Insert an oral airway immediately
- Restrain the patient to prevent injury
- Maintain an open airway and place in recovery position (Correct answer)
- Administer oxygen via non-rebreather mask
Correct answer: Maintain an open airway and place in recovery position
During the postictal phase the airway must be maintained and the patient placed in the recovery position to prevent aspiration.
Question 4: Which sign is most indicative of anaphylaxis in a patient who was stung by a bee?
- Localized swelling at the sting site
- Hives, wheezing, and hypotension (Correct answer)
- Fever and chills
- Bradycardia and hypertension
Correct answer: Hives, wheezing, and hypotension
Anaphylaxis presents with systemic signs including urticaria, bronchospasm (wheezing), and circulatory collapse (hypotension).
Question 5: An infant presents with a bulging fontanelle, high-pitched cry, and fever. What should the EMR suspect?
- Normal teething
- Meningitis (Correct answer)
- Febrile seizure
- Dehydration
Correct answer: Meningitis
A bulging fontanelle combined with high-pitched cry and fever in an infant is a classic presentation of meningitis.
Question 6: A patient with COPD is in respiratory distress. You should administer oxygen at what flow rate and delivery method?
- 15 LPM via non-rebreather mask
- High-flow oxygen regardless of SpO2
- Low-flow oxygen via nasal cannula targeting SpO2 88–92% (Correct answer)
- No oxygen — it may suppress their drive to breathe completely
Correct answer: Low-flow oxygen via nasal cannula targeting SpO2 88–92%
COPD patients may rely on hypoxic drive, so low-flow oxygen targeting SpO2 88–92% is recommended to avoid suppressing respirations.
EMR EMR Medical Emergencies and Special Populations 1
A patient presents with sudden onset severe headache described as 'the worst headache of my life.' What condition should the EMR suspect?