North Carolina EMT State Practice Exam

A patient experiencing numbness in their extremities could be suffering from which condition?

1. Paresthesia

2. Hypoxia

3. Hypoperfusion

4. Necrosis

The correct answer is: Paresthesia

The condition characterized by numbness in the extremities is known as paresthesia. Paresthesia involves abnormal sensations such as tingling, prickling, or a feeling of pins and needles, which can often be accompanied by numbness. This sensation typically indicates some level of nerve irritation or injury, which may arise from various causes, including nerve compression, systemic diseases, or metabolic conditions. Identifying paresthesia is essential, especially in emergency medical situations, as it can signal underlying pathologies that require immediate attention, such as nerve damage or circulatory issues. Recognizing this symptom allows for appropriate assessment and intervention to prevent complications. The other conditions listed represent different medical phenomena: hypoxia denotes a deficiency in the amount of oxygen reaching the tissues, hypoperfusion implies inadequate blood flow to body tissues, and necrosis refers to the death of cells or tissues due to injury or lack of blood supply. While these conditions can also have significant health impacts, they do not specifically relate to the sensation of numbness in the same way that paresthesia does.