Ch. 16 Neurologic Emergencies

Question 1

Absence Seizures

Answer 1

The seizures that may be characterized by brief lapse of attention in which the patient may stare and does not respond; formerly known as petit mal seizure.

Question 2

Aphasia

Answer 2

The inability to understand or produce speech

Question 3

Arterial Rupture

Answer 3

The rupture of an artery. Involvement of a cerebral artery may contribute to interruption of cerebral blood flow.

Question 4

Aura

Answer 4

Sensations experienced before an attack occurs; common in seizures and migraine headaches.

Question 5

Axon

Answer 5

A projection from a nueron that makes connection with adjacent cells.

Question 6

Cerebral Embolism

Answer 6

Obstruction of a cerebral artery caused by a clot that was formed elsewhere in the body and traveled to the brain

Question 7

Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA)

Answer 7

An interruption of blood flow to the brain that results in the loss of brain function; also referred to as a stroke or brain attack.

Question 8

Clonic Phase

Answer 8

Seizure movement marked by repetitive muscle contractions and relaxations in rapid succession

Question 9

Complex Partial Seizures

Answer 9

The seizures that involve subtle changes in the LOC that may include confusion, less alertness, hallucinations, and inability to speak.

Question 10

Decerebrate Posturing

Answer 10

a body position in which the patient extends the outward and rotates the lower arms on a palms down manner and points the toes; indicates severe brain dysfunction

Question 11

Decorticate Posturing

Answer 11

a body position the patient flexes the wrists, and points his or her toes; indicate severe brain dysfunction

Question 12

Dysarthia

Answer 12

The inability to pronounce speech clearly, often due to loss of the nerves or brain cells that control the small muscles in the larynx.

Question 13

Febrile Seizures

Answer 13

The seizures that result from sudden high fever, particularly in children.

Question 14

Hemiparesis

Answer 14

Weakness on one side of the body

Question 15

Hemiplegia

Answer 15

Paralysis on one side of the body

Question 16

Hemorrhagic Stroke

Answer 16

One of two main types of stroke; occurs as a result of bleeding inside the brain.

Question 17

Hypoglycemia

Answer 17

a condition characterized by a low blood glucose level

Question 18

Incontinence

Answer 18

Loss of bowel and bladder control; can be due to a generalize seizure and to other conditions

Question 19

Infarcted Cells

Answer 19

The cells that die as a result of loss of blood flow

Question 20

Intracranial Pressure (ICP)

Answer 20

The pressure within the cranial vault normally 0 - 15 mm Hg in adults.

Question 21

Ischemic Cells

Answer 21

The cells that receive enough blood after an event such as a cerebrovascular accident to stay alive but not enough to function properly.

Question 22

Neurotransmitters

Answer 22

The chemical produced by the body that stimulate electrical reactions in adjacent Neurons.

Question 23

Partial Seizures

Answer 23

The seizures affecting a limited portion of the brain

Question 24

Postical State

Answer 24

The period following a seizure that lasts between 5 and 30 minutes, characterized by labored respirations and some degree of altered mental status.

Question 25

Pronation

Answer 25

The act of extending the arms outward and rotating the lower arms in a palms down manner

Question 26

Seizures

Answer 26

Episodes often characterized by generalized, uncoordinated muscular activity associated with loss of consciousness; a convulsion

Question 27

Simple Partial Seizures

Answer 27

The seizures involving movement of one part of the body or altered sensations in one part of the body; the movement may stay in one body part or spread to another in a wave.

Question 28

Status Epilepticus

Answer 28

A condition in which seizures recur every few minutes without a lucid interval or last more that 4 - 5 minutes.

Question 29

Stroke

Answer 29

A loss of brain function in certain cells that do no get enough oxygen during a cerebrovasular accident. Usually cause by obstruction of the blood vessels in the brain that feed oxygen to the brain cells.

Question 30

Synapses

Answer 30

The gaps between nerve cells across which nervous stimuli are transmitted.

Question 31

Syncope

Answer 31

The temporary loss of consciousness and postural tone caused by diminished cerebral blood flow.

Question 32

Thrombus

Answer 32

In terms of neurologic emergencies, the local clotting of blood in the cerebral arteries that may result in the interruption of cerebral blood flow and subsequent stroke.

Question 33

Tonic-clonic Seizures

Answer 33

The seizures characterized by severe twitching of all of the body’s muscles that may last several minutes or more; formerly know as a grand mal seizure

Question 34

Tonic Phase

Answer 34

In a seizure, the steady, rigid muscle contractions with no relaxation

Question 35

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)

Answer 35

A disorder of the brain in which brain cells temporarily stop working because of insufficient oxygen, causing stoke like symptoms that resolve completely within 24 hours of onset

Question 36

Trismus

Answer 36

The involuntary contraction of the mouth resulting in clenched teeth; occurs during seizures and head injuries.