Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Basic Certification Practice Exam

What condition occurs when a cerebral artery is blocked by a clot or foreign matter?

1. Hemorrhagic shock

2. Ischemic shock

3. Transient ischemic attack

4. Right-sided heart failure

The correct answer is: Ischemic shock

The condition described occurs when a cerebral artery is blocked, which leads to a reduction in blood flow to a specific area of the brain. This blockage can be due to a clot or foreign matter, resulting in a lack of oxygen and nutrients to the brain cells, ultimately causing them to dysfunction or die. This situation is known as ischemia, which is characterized by inadequate blood supply. Ischemic shock specifically refers to the physiological effects that take place when tissues do not receive enough oxygen-rich blood. In the context of the brain, this can result in significant complications, such as stroke or transient ischemic attacks, depending on the duration and severity of the blockage. The other options listed represent different medical scenarios: hemorrhagic shock relates to bleeding and loss of blood volume, a transient ischemic attack is a temporary blockage that resolves on its own usually within 24 hours, and right-sided heart failure refers to the inability of the heart to pump efficiently on the right side, affecting systemic circulation but not directly indicating an issue in the cerebral arteries.