Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Basic Certification Practice Exam

Which symptom is NOT typically associated with a TIA?

1. Complete paralysis

2. Speech difficulties

3. Numbness

4. Sudden vision changes

The correct answer is: Complete paralysis

A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is often referred to as a "mini-stroke" and typically presents with temporary symptoms similar to those seen in a stroke, but these symptoms resolve quickly, usually within minutes to hours. Common symptoms associated with a TIA include speech difficulties, numbness, and sudden vision changes, which occur due to brief interruptions in blood flow to specific areas of the brain. Complete paralysis, however, is not typically associated with a TIA. Instead, a TIA might present with weakness or partial paralysis (hemiparesis) that is temporary. Complete paralysis suggests a more severe and lasting event, such as a full stroke, where permanent damage to brain tissue may occur. Therefore, the lack of complete paralysis as a symptom of TIA underscores the transient and reversible nature of the deficits experienced during such an event.