Medical Technicians EMT Release Date

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

Mental statusreflects perfusion and oxygen delivery to thebrain, which is highly sensitive to hypoxia and hypercapnia. Even if respiratory rate and SpO₂ are normal, altered mental status suggests ineffective gas exchange or hypoperfusion.

Pulse oximetry may be falsely normal in CO poisoning or poor perfusion. Skin color is subjective and not as sensitive or specific as neurological status.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

Anepidural hematomaclassically presents with a“lucid interval”— a brief period of regained consciousness following head trauma, followed by rapid deterioration. This is due to arterial bleeding, often from themiddle meningeal artery, leading to increasing intracranial pressure.

Signs include:

High blood pressure

Decreasing respiratory rate

Altered LOC or unresponsiveness

Subdural hemorrhages are slower venous bleeds, common in elderly patients. Subarachnoid hemorrhage often presents with "worst headache of life." Intracerebral bleeds are less commonly linked to lucid intervals.