17 Neurologic Emergencies Flashcards
Key Signs and Symptoms of Stroke
facial drooping sudden weakness or numbness to one side decreased sensation to one side blurred or double vision ALOC speech disorders aphasia dysarthria
Conditions that mimic a Stroke
hypoglycemia
postictal state post seizure
subdural or epidural bleeding
Cause for Epileptic Seizure
congenital
Cause for Structural Seizure
tumor, infection, scar tissue, trauma, stroke
Cause for Metabolic Seizure
hypoxia, hypoglycemia, poisoning, drug overdose, sudden withdrawal from alcohol or medications
Cause for Febrile Seizure
sudden high fever
AEIOU TIPS
assess ALOC:
Alcohol, Epilepsy, Insulin, Opiates, Uremia
Trauma, Infection, Poisoning, S’s (shock, stroke, seizure, syncope, subarachnoid hemorrhage)
Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale
Facial droop: smile
Arm drift: close eyes and hold both arms out and up
Speech: ask to repeat complete sentence
FAST
facial droop
arm drift
speech
time
Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS): Motor
6 obeys commands 5 localizes pain 4 withdraws to pain 3 abnormal flexion 2 abnormal extension 1 none
Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS): Verbal
5 oriented x4 4 confused 3 inappropriate words 2 incomprehensible sounds 1 none
Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS): Eyes
4 spontaneous
3 responds to speech
2 responds to pain
1 unresponsive
aphasia
inability to understand and/or produce speech
aura
sensation experienced before a seizure, which can serve as a warning sign
CVA
cerebrovascular accident s/p interruption of blood flow to the brain resulting in loss of function aka stroke
