4 - altered mental status and coma Flashcards
1
Q
what is altered mental status
A
non-specific term referring to impaired responsivness
- life threatening emergency
2
Q
def. coma
A
sleep like state of unrousable unresponsiveness
3
Q
9 possible causes of coma
A
TIPS and AEIOU Trauma/temp Infection Poisoning/psych Space occupying lesion/ stroke Alc/acidosis Epilepsy Insulin Oxygen Uremia
4
Q
initial aproach to coma
A
ABC
A - ETT,
B - O2 for all
C - maintain cerebral perfusion, IV access
5
Q
4 drugs to give
A
universal antidotes DON'T Dextrose O2 Naloxone Thiamine
6
Q
4 possible findings on vitals
A
- extreme hypotension - encephalopathy, brain hemmorage
- hypotension - the usual
- hyperthermia - heat stroke, drugs
- hypothermia - primary exposure or secondary
7
Q
3 parts of GCS
A
- eye opening 1-4
- verbal response 1-5
- motor respone 1-6
8
Q
parts of head and neck exam
A
- examine for skin laceration
- basal skull fracture
- meningitis flex
9
Q
parts of general exam
A
- feel the skin
- smell breath
- inspection
- examine major organs
10
Q
when to do diagnostic testing
A
when have clinical clue of what might be happening
11
Q
what to do before lumbar puncture
A
assess ICP - otherwise herniation
