Florida State Paramedic Practice Exam

Which condition might a child experience if they feel like bells are ringing in their head and are hyperventilating?

1. Aspiration pneumonia

2. Aspirin overdose

3. Anxiety attack

4. Dehydration

The correct answer is: Aspirin overdose

The sensation of "bells ringing" in a child's head, coupled with hyperventilation, is indicative of an anxiety attack. During an anxiety attack, individuals often experience a range of symptoms, including feelings of impending doom, changes in heartbeat, and hyperventilation, which can contribute to symptoms such as dizziness and auditory sensations like ringing. Hyperventilation itself leads to a decrease in carbon dioxide levels in the blood, resulting in a range of neurological symptoms, including tingling or ringing in the ears. Children may not have the vocabulary to describe their feelings accurately, so they might express the sensation in a metaphorical way, such as feeling like bells are ringing. Although other conditions might present with some similar symptoms, they do not align as closely with the specific combination of aural disturbances and hyperventilation. For instance, while dehydration can cause headaches or dizziness, it typically does not lead to the auditory hallucination described. Aspirin overdose would present with different symptoms like tinnitus (ringing in the ears) but usually not in concert with hyperventilation. Aspiration pneumonia is primarily a respiratory condition associated with coughing and difficulty breathing, rather than the psychological and sensory symptoms presented in this scenario.