NREMT Advanced EMT Practice Test #4

Answer - D - Subdural hematomas are very common among the elderly and alcoholics, even when there is no evidence of a mild and minor head injury. A subdural hematoma is a collection of blood directly beneath the dura mater; the signs and symptoms occur very slowly and are subtle in presentation since it is usually due to blood loss from the rupture of small venous vessels. The elderly and chronic alcoholics are affected often because the aging process and chronic alcoholism shrinks the brain and both groups are prone to the condition even with mild and minor head injuries. An altered state of behavior may be due to the subdural hematoma.