Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Practice Exam

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Prepare for your EMT Intermediate Test. Study with detailed flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each featuring hints and explanations. Ace your exam!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

What is the consequence of the brain being deprived of oxygen for 4 to 6 minutes?

The brain experiences temporary confusion
Anoxic brain injury will occur
There will be no effect on brain cells
Memory loss will begin

The correct answer is: Anoxic brain injury will occur

When the brain is deprived of oxygen for a duration of 4 to 6 minutes, it can lead to anoxic brain injury. This type of injury occurs because the neurons and other brain cells rely heavily on a continuous supply of oxygen to function properly. Without oxygen, cellular metabolism cannot proceed, leading to cell death and potentially irreversible damage. Anoxic brain injury manifests in various ways, which may include cognitive deficits, motor skill impairments, loss of consciousness, and memory issues. The severity of the injury often correlates with the duration of oxygen deprivation; thus, after just a few minutes, significant damage may commence. This understanding emphasizes the criticality of rapid intervention when a person is experiencing a respiratory or cardiac event, which may restrict oxygen delivery to the brain. Recognizing the time-sensitive nature of brain function in relation to oxygen supply is vital for EMTs and medical professionals in emergency situations.