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
coma
state of profound unconsciousness from which a patient cannot be aroused
delirium
temporary change in mental status e.g. disorganized thoughts, inattention, memory loss, hallucinations, and disorientation
dysarthria
slurred speech
embolus
blood clot or other substance in circulatory system traveling to a blood vessel causing blockage
epilepsy
abnormal electrical discharges occurring in the brain causing seizures and syncope
hemiparesis
weakness on one side of the body
hemorrhagic stroke
stroke s/p bleeding inside the brain
status epilepticus
seizures recur every few minutes or last longer than 30 minutes
thrombosis
blood clot in the arterial or venous system
