Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Neurology > Blackouts, Seizures and Epilepsy > Flashcards

Blackouts, Seizures and Epilepsy Flashcards

1
Q

Define syncope

A

Transient loss of consciousness due to global cerebral hypoperfusion with rapid onset, short duration and spontaneous complete recovery

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Categories of syncope

A

Reflex

Orthostatic

Cardiac

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Types of reflex syncope

A

Vasovagal

Situational

Carotid sinus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Types of orthostatic syncope

A

Primary autonomic failure

Secondary autonomic failure

Drug-induced

Volume depletion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Types of cardiac syncope

A

Arrhythmias

Structural

PE

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is vasovagal syncope?

A

Triggered by emotion, pain, or stress

“Fainting”

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Causes of situational syncope

A

Cough

Micturition

GI

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Causes of primary autonomic failure

A

Parkinson’s disease

Lewy body dementia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Causes of secondary autonomic failure

A

Diabetic neuropathy

Amyloidosis

Uraemia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Common syncope-inducing drugs

A

Diuretics

Alcohol

Vasodilators

Antipsychotics

Antidepressants

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Investigations for syncope

A

CV exam

Postural blood pressure readings

ECG

Carotid sinus massage

Tilt table test

24hr ECG

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

How to differentiate between seizures and syncope

A

Thorough history covering:
Risk factors

Triggers

Before episode

During episode

After episode

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Risk factors for syncope

A

Heart disease (arrhythmias)

Peripheral neuropathy

Drugs that cause postural hypotension

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Risk factors for seizures

A

FHx

Previous history of epilepsy

Head injury

CNS infection

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Triggers for syncope

A

Pain

Heat

Exertion

Prolonged standing

Emotion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Triggers for seizures

A

Alcohol

Sleep deprivation

Bright lights

Infections

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Syncope: before episode

A

Dizziness

Light-headedness

Nausea

Tunnelled vision

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Seizures: before episode

A

Aura

Epigastric rising

Deja vu

Visual/smell disturbances

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Syncope: during episode

A

Sudden loss of tone

May have tongue biting and incontinence

Brief duration

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Seizures: during episode

A

Tonic-clonic jerking movements

May have tongue biting and incontinence

May be brief or prolonged

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Syncope: after episode

A

Complete and rapid recovery

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Seizures: after episode

A

Post-ictal confusion and drowsiness

May have Todd’s facial palsy

23
Q

Features of seizures

A

Generalised seizures usually sudden onset

Tongue biting and incontinence may occur

<5 minutes

Post-ictal confusion

24
Q

What are Stokes-Adams attacks?

A

Arrhythmogenic syncope

Abrupt onset

Without waring

May result in significant injury

Myoclonic jerks may occur

25
Q

Features of pseudoseizures

A

Often prolonged episodes (rarely <1 minute, often >30 minutes)

Usually in front of a witness

Fluctuating motor activity and seizure-like convulsions

Tongue biting rare

26
Q

Classification of focal (partial) seizures

A

Part of the brain that they involve (e.g. temporal versus frontal lobe seizures)

Whether consciousness is impaired (simple versus complex)

27
Q

Types of generalised seizure

A

Tonic

Tonic-clonic

Atonic

Myoclonic

Absence

28
Q

Basic seizure classification

3 features

A

Where seizures begin in the brain

Level of awareness during a seizure

Other features of seizures

29
Q

Describe generalised tonic-clonic seizures

A

LOC andtonic(muscle tensing) andclonic(muscle jerking) episodes

Typically tonic phase precedes clonic phase

May be tongue biting, incontinence, groaning and irregular breathing

Prolongedpost-ictal periodwhere person is confused, drowsy and feels irritable or depressed

30
Q

Management of generalised tonic-clonic seizures

A

generaLiSed

Sodium valproate

2nd line: Lamotrigine or carbamazepine

31
Q

Describe focal seizures

A

Start in temporal lobes

Affect speech, hearing, memory and emotions

Hallucinations

Memory flashbacks

Déjà vu

Doing strange things on autopilot

32
Q

Management of focal seizures

A

foCaL

Carbamazepine or lamotrigine

2nd line: sodium valproate or levetiracetam

33
Q

Describe absence seizures

A

Typically occur in children

Patient becomes blank, stares into space and then abruptly returns to normal

Unaware of their surroundings and won’t respond

Typically 10-20 secs

34
Q

Management of absence seizures

A

Sodium valproate or ethosuximide

35
Q

Describe atonic seizures (“drop attacks”)

A

Brief lapses in muscle tone

Usually <3 minutes

Typically begin in childhood

36
Q

What might atonic seizures/drop attacks be indicative of?

A

Lennox-Gustaut syndrome

37
Q

Management of atonic seizures/drop attacks

A

Sodium valproate

2nd line: lamotrigine

38
Q

Describe myoclonic seizures

A

Sudden brief muscle contractions, like a sudden “jump”

Usually remain awake during episode

Occur in various forms of epilepsy but typically in children as part ofjuvenile myoclonic epilepsy

39
Q

Management of myoclonic seizures

A

Sodium valproate

Other options:
Lamotrigine,levetiracetamortopiramate

40
Q

Investigations in seizures

A

EEG

MRI to diagnose structural problems

ECG to exclude cardiac problems

41
Q

Features of temporal lobe focal seizures

A

HEAD

Hallucinations

Epigastric rising/Emotional

Automatisms (lip smacking/grabbing/plucking)

Deja vu/Dysphasia post-ictal

42
Q

Features of frontal lobe seizures

A

MOTOR

Head/leg movements

Posturing

Post-ictal weakness

Jacksonian march

SENSORY

Paraesthesia

43
Q

Features of occipital lobe seizures

A

VISUAL

Floaters/flashes

44
Q

Management of seizures

A

Start anti-epileptics following second epileptic seizure

Generalised: sodium valproate

Focal: carbamazepine

45
Q

Acute management of seizures

A

If not terminated after 5-10 minutes may be appropriate to administer medication

Benzodiazepines e.g. diazepam

46
Q

Driving & seizures

A

Cannot drive for 6 months following seizure

Epileptic patients must be seizure free for 12 months before being able to drive

47
Q

Trying to conceive

A

Valproate particularly teratogenic

48
Q

Define status epilepticus

A

Single seizure lasting>5 minutesor>3 seizures in 30 minute period without return to normal in between

49
Q

Management of status epilepticus

in hospital

A

ABCDE

IVlorazepam4mg, repeated after 10 minutes if the seizure continues (diazepam pre-hospital)

If seizures persist: IVphenobarbitalorphenytoin

If no response, induce general anaesthesia

50
Q

Management of status epilepticus

in community

A

Buccal midazolam

Rectal diazepam

51
Q

Investigations in status epilepticus

A

Check o2 sats and blood sugar (common and rapidly reversible cause)

ABG

FBC, U&E, LFT, CRP, calcium and magnesium, clotting

Serum and urine save for toxicology

Anti-epileptic drug levels should be sent as appropriate

52
Q

What is important before administering glucose in patients with a history of alcohol abuse?

A

IV pabrinex prior to the administration of glucose to avoid precipitation of Wernicke’s encephalopathy or Korsakoff’s syndrome

53
Q

Chance of developing MS after single episode of optic neuritis?

A

50%

54
Q

Optic neuritis features

A

CRAP

Central scotoma

RAPD

Acuity (unilateral decrease in HR/D)

Pain worse on movement

Neurology (20 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions