Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Basic Certification Practice Exam

What is an assessment finding that indicates significant hypoxia?

1. Elevated blood pressure

2. Confusion and restlessness

3. Increased temperature

4. Bradycardia

The correct answer is: Confusion and restlessness

An assessment finding that indicates significant hypoxia is confusion and restlessness. When the body's tissues do not receive sufficient oxygen, it can lead to a state of hypoxia, which affects brain function. The brain is particularly sensitive to low oxygen levels, and changes in mental status, such as confusion, anxiety, and restlessness, are often early signs of hypoxic conditions. This is due to the brain struggling to function normally without adequate oxygen, resulting in altered consciousness and behavior. In contrast, elevated blood pressure, increased temperature, and bradycardia may not directly relate to the immediate effects of hypoxia. While elevated blood pressure can sometimes occur due to stress or compensatory mechanisms, and increased temperature may indicate an infection or another physiological response, they do not specifically signal hypoxia. Similarly, bradycardia, or a slower heart rate, is not a typical finding associated with significant hypoxia; rather, hypoxia often presents with tachycardia as the body attempts to compensate for low oxygen levels. Therefore, confusion and restlessness are the most indicative signs of significant hypoxia in a patient.