A patient with left-sided weakness that started 60 minutes earlier is admitted to the emergency department and diagnostic tests are ordered. Which test should be done first?

Complete blood count (CBC)

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

Computed tomography (CT) scan

Chest radiograph (chest x-ray)

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

A) "Complete blood count (CBC)":
. A CBC can provide important information about the patient's overall health, including potential signs of infection, anemia, or other underlying conditions. However, in the context of acute neurological symptoms such as left-sided weakness, CT scan is the priority test because it will help quickly determine if there is an acute neurological event, such as a stroke or hemorrhage. While a CBC might be useful later to assess for underlying
conditions or potential causes, it is not the first test to perform in this scenario.

B) "Electroencephalogram (EEG)":
. An EEG is primarily used to diagnose and assess seizure activity or epileptic disorders. While seizures can cause neurological deficits, the patient's sudden onset of left-sided weakness is more suggestive of a stroke, not a seizure. The priority is to rule out stroke with a CT scan, not to assess for seizures with an EEG.

C) "Computed tomography (CT) scan":
. A CT scan is the first diagnostic test to perform in patients with acute neurological deficits such as sudden-onset weakness, especially when a stroke is suspected. A CT scan can quickly detect if the cause is an ischemic stroke (lack of blood flow due to a clot) or a hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding in the brain). Time is critical in the management of stroke, as early intervention with treatments like tPA (tissue plasminogen activator) for ischemic stroke can greatly improve outcomes. The CT scan can help determine if the patient is a candidate for thrombolysis or if other interventions are needed.

D) "Chest radiograph (chest x-ray)":
. While a chest x-ray can be useful for diagnosing respiratory issues, such as pneumonia or congestion, it is not helpful in evaluating the cause of acute neurological symptoms like left-sided weakness. The priority test is a CT scan to evaluate the brain and rule out conditions like stroke or hemorrhage, not a chest x-ray.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Midazolam is a benzodiazepine commonly used for the emergency treatment of seizures, including tonic-clonic (grand mal) seizures. It works by enhancing GABA activity in the brain, helping to stop seizure activity quickly. It can be administered intravenously (IV), intramuscularly (IM), or intranasally in emergencies.

A. HD cholesterol 60 mg/di B. Total cholesterol 210 mg/at C. LDL cholesterol 110 me di D. Hgb A1C 5.3%

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A) "HDL cholesterol 60 mg/dL":
This is not a risk factor. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is often referred to as "good cholesterol" because it helps remove excess cholesterol from the bloodstream, lowering the risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. An HDL level of 60 mg/dL is considered protective against cardiovascular disease, as higher levels of HDL are associated with a lower risk of heart disease.

B) "Total cholesterol 210 mg/dL":
This is not a significant risk factor on its own. While total cholesterol above 200 mg/dL is a general indicator for cardiovascular risk, it is not as important as the breakdown of individual lipid components (HDL, LDL). A total cholesterol of 210 mg/dL is only slightly above the ideal less than 200 mg/dL, and on its own, it is not a strong indicator of increased cardiovascular risk without considering other factors like LDL and HDL levels.

C) "LDL cholesterol 110 mg/dL":
. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is known as "bad cholesterol" because it can lead to the buildup of plaque in the arteries, increasing the risk for atherosclerosis, heart disease, and stroke. An LDL level of 110 mg/dL is considered to be above optimal. For individuals at risk for cardiovascular disease, the target LDL cholesterol level is usually less than 100 mg/dL, and for those with high risk, it may be less than 70 mg/dL. Therefore, this level of LDL cholesterol places the client at increased risk for cardiovascular disease.

D) "Hgb A1C 5.3%":
This is not a risk factor. An Hgb A1C of 5.3% is within the normal range for glycemic control. The American Diabetes Association defines normal A1C as below 5.7%. A1C levels between 5.7% and 6.4% are considered pre-diabetes, and a level of 6.5% or higher indicates diabetes. A normal A1C level indicates no significant elevated blood glucose, which would be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

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A patient with left-sided weakness that started 60 minutes earlier is admitted to the emergency department and diagnostic tests are ordered. Which test should be done first?

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