North Carolina EMT State Practice Exam

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Prepare for the North Carolina EMT State Exam with interactive quizzes and comprehensive explanations. Master your skills and gain confidence by reviewing key topics before test day!

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In a right hemisphere stroke, what is a common characteristic regarding the patient's speech ability?

Inability to understand speech
Will be able to understand and speak, but words may be slurred
Inability to speak at all
Speech is rapid and incoherent

The correct answer is: Will be able to understand and speak, but words may be slurred

In the context of a right hemisphere stroke, it's common for patients to retain their ability to understand speech and express themselves verbally, though their speech may be affected. Patients often experience slurred speech due to motor control issues affecting the muscles involved in speech production. This phenomenon is linked to the fact that the right hemisphere of the brain is primarily responsible for non-verbal communication and emotional tone rather than direct language comprehension and production, which are mainly governed by the left hemisphere in right-handed individuals. Therefore, while the patient's articulation may be impaired, they are typically able to form words and convey basic ideas, albeit with challenges. This aligns with the observed characteristics in individuals who have suffered a right hemisphere stroke, making the answer that reflects this scenario the most accurate.