Medical Emergencies
The medical content area covers everything from stroke to overdose. Focus on recognition and rapid transport — the exam rarely tests obscure diagnoses.
EMT · AEMT · Paramedic
Stroke
Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale (facial droop, arm drift, slurred speech). Establish last known well, transport to a stroke center. Do not give aspirin for stroke.
Sepsis
Suspect in any patient with infection + two SIRS criteria (temp, HR, RR, WBC). Aggressive fluids and transport.
Diabetic emergencies
Hypoglycemia: oral glucose if awake with a gag, D10/D50 IV for AEMT/paramedic. Hyperglycemia/DKA: fluids and transport.
Anaphylaxis
IM epinephrine (0.3 mg adult, 0.15 mg peds). Do not wait for airway compromise — early epi saves lives.
Frequently asked
- How do I differentiate hypoglycemia from a stroke?
- Check a blood glucose on every altered patient. Hypoglycemia can mimic stroke exactly — a low sugar in a stroke-like presentation is glucose until proven otherwise.
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