It is difficult to definitively define hypertensive encephalopathy in the prehospital setting as a ____ of the brain is required to exclude hemorrhage or stroke as a cause for the altered mental status or seizures.

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A CT scan of the brain is the best choice as it can accurately identify hemorrhage or stroke as a cause for the patient's symptoms, which are possible differentials for hypertensive encephalopathy. Skull x-rays and skull series are not useful in diagnosing a brain pathology, while MRI is not readily available in the prehospital setting.

It Is Difficult to Definitively Define Hypertensive Encephalopathy in the Prehospital