Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Practice Exam

In assessing a 59-year-old male with altered mental status, what symptom suggests an ischemic stroke over hypoglycemia?

1. Increased heart rate

2. Attempts to communicate

3. Severe headache

4. Unresponsiveness

The correct answer is: Attempts to communicate

The symptom that suggests an ischemic stroke over hypoglycemia in a patient with altered mental status is attempts to communicate. In cases of ischemic stroke, particularly when it affects the regions of the brain responsible for speech and language, a patient may struggle to form words or speak coherently. However, they may still show some attempts to communicate, even if their speech is slurred or nonsensical. In contrast, hypoglycemia typically results in a more pronounced level of unresponsiveness or confusion, often leading to the patient being completely unable to engage in communication. Therefore, the presence of attempts to communicate in a patient experiencing altered mental status can be indicative of a cerebrovascular event, such as an ischemic stroke, making it a critical distinguishing symptom. While other symptoms such as increased heart rate, severe headache, or unresponsiveness may also be present in various medical emergencies, attempts to communicate specifically point towards neurological function and suggest the likelihood of a stroke rather than simply a metabolic issue like hypoglycemia.