Greater Miami Valley EMS Protocol Practice Exam 2025 – Full Prep Guide

In the assessment of a patient with a head injury, the primary focus is on neurological function and signs that may indicate the severity of the injury. Factors such as the level of consciousness, pupillary reaction, and the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) are all critical components of this assessment.

The level of consciousness provides immediate insight into the patient's neurological status. Pupillary reaction is crucial as it can indicate pressure on the brain and the overall function of the brainstem. The Glasgow Coma Scale quantifies the patient's responsiveness in terms of eye, verbal, and motor responses, which aids in assessing the severity of the head injury and tracking changes over time.

While blood pressure is an important vital sign in many medical assessments, it is not typically evaluated specifically for head injuries in the same way as the other factors listed. Although blood pressure can be relevant in the context of overall trauma and systemic assessment, it does not directly assess the neurological impact of a head injury like the other factors do.