Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Practice Exam

Which condition can aggravate cerebral edema?

1. High blood pressure

2. Low oxygen levels in the blood

3. Literary stress

4. Low blood sugar levels

The correct answer is: Low oxygen levels in the blood

Low oxygen levels in the blood can contribute to the aggravation of cerebral edema due to their impact on brain tissue. When the brain does not receive an adequate supply of oxygen, it can lead to cell death and increased permeability of the blood-brain barrier. This condition promotes the accumulation of fluid in the brain, resulting in or worsening cerebral edema. Hypoxia (a deficiency in the amount of oxygen reaching the tissues) can trigger inflammatory responses and alter cerebral blood flow, both of which can exacerbate existing edema. In contrast, high blood pressure can potentially worsen edema by increasing hydrostatic pressure but is not a direct aggravating factor in the way that low oxygen levels are. Literary stress, while it can have effects on overall health, does not have a direct physiological mechanism that would specifically aggravate cerebral edema. Low blood sugar levels may affect brain function but are not directly linked to increasing cerebral edema. Therefore, low oxygen levels present a clear, acute risk that directly impacts brain tissue health and fluid dynamics, making them a significant factor in the exacerbation of cerebral edema.