Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Practice Exam

After a traumatic injury, if a patient complains of severe headache, what should you consider?

1. Aortic dissection

2. Intracranial hemorrhage

3. Upper respiratory infection

4. Spinal cord injury

The correct answer is: Intracranial hemorrhage

When a patient presents with a severe headache following a traumatic injury, one of the primary considerations is an intracranial hemorrhage. This condition can arise as a result of trauma to the head, which may lead to bleeding within the cranial cavity. Intracranial hemorrhages, such as subdural or epidural hematomas, can occur even if there are minimal visible surface injuries. The severity of the headache is an important symptom that could indicate increased intracranial pressure due to the accumulation of blood. Accompanying symptoms may include confusion, changes in consciousness, focal neurological deficits, or even seizures, making it critical for EMTs to recognize the potential for serious cerebral injury and provide appropriate care. In contrast, while aortic dissection may cause severe pain, it typically presents with pain in the chest or back rather than a headache. Upper respiratory infections usually manifest through symptoms affecting the upper airway and do not correlate with severe headaches as a result of trauma. Spinal cord injuries might lead to neurological deficits and different types of pain but are less likely to present as a primary severe headache post-trauma. Therefore, when assessing a patient with a severe headache after a traumatic injury, the possibility of an intracranial hemorrhage should