A medical assistant notices that the patient is slurring speech and has developed a slight drooping on one side of the mouth. These manifestations are indications of which of the following emergent conditions?
a] myocardial infarction
b] syncope
c] anxiety attack
d] cerebrovascular accident
CORRECT: A cerebrovascular accident [CVA] is an emergency situation and requires immediate action. A CVA can manifest with slurred speech, tinnitus [noise or ringing in ears], and partial paralysis due to loss of blood flow to parts of the brain.
A myocardial infarction is caused by a blockage of the coronary artery and manifests with chest pain and cyanosis. However, slurred speech and a drooping mouth are not manifestations of this condition.
Syncope is fainting caused by a temporary loss of blod flow to parts of the brain. It manifests as a loss of consciousness, not slurred speech and drooping of the mouth.
An anxiety attack can manifest with multiple symptoms. However, slurred speech and a drooping mouth are not manifestations of this condition.