A 29-year-old female army veteran presents for examination to qualify as a CMV driver. She admits that she has had a head surgery after a bullet penetrated her head 3 years ago. She lost consciousness for 36 hours after the incident occurred. No history of seizures post injury. No current medication or any other health issues. She is a smoker. Is this person qualified to drive a CMV and why?
Explanation
Answer: D - No, she is at high risk of post-traumatic brain seizures.
This is the correct answer because according to the recommendations of the 2009 Medical Expert Panel (MEP) presented to FMCSA, persons who have sustained penetrating injuries to the brain, or severe Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) with loss of consciousness ≥ 24 hours, should be permanently precluded from being certified as physically fit to drive an interstate CMV, due to the high risk of neurological deficits and occurrence of seizures; even many years after the incident.
