CH. 18 NEUROLOGIC EMERGENCIES Flashcards
an area in the brain or spinal cord in which cells have been attacked, typically by an infectious agent. The immune system erects a wall to prevent spread of infection, creating a pus filled pocket within the nervous system tissue
abscess
endocrine glands located on top of the kidneys that release adrenalin when stimulated by the sympathetic nervous system
adrenal glands
nerves that send information to the brain
afferent nerves
inability to connect an object with its correct name
agnosia
a progressive organic condition in which neurons in the brain die causing dementia
alzheimer disease
aka lou gehrig disease that strikes the voluntary motor neurons causing their death. The disease is characterized by fatigue and general weakness of muscle groups; eventually the patient becomes unable to walk, eat or speak
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
lack of feeling within a body part
anesthesia
unequal pupils within a greater than 1 mm difference
anisocoria
inability to connect an object with its proper use
apraxia
alteration in the ability to perform coordinated motions like walking
ataxia
sensations experienced before an attack occurs. Common in seizures and migraine headaches
aura
evaluation tool used to determine a patient’s level of conciousness
AVPU
the long slender filament projecting from a nerve cell that conducts impulses to adjacent cells
axon
a temporary paralysis of the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII) which controls the muscles of each side of the face
Bell Palsy
the slowing down of the voluntary body movements and found in Parkinson’s disease
bradykinesia
the area of the brain between the spinal cord and the cerebrum surrounded by the cerebellum and controls the functions that are necessary to sustain life like respiration
brainstem
the brain and spinal cord
central nervous system
the region of the brain essential in coordinating muscle movement
cerebellum
a developmental condition in which damage is done to the brain. It presents during infancy as a delay in walking or crawling and can take on a spastic form in which muscles are in a nearly constant state of contraction
cerebral palsy (CP)
type of seizure movement involving the contraction and relaxation of muscle groups
clonic activity
a state in which a person does not respond to verbal or painful stimuli
coma
sensory stimulation that can be verified by others
common reality
corneal reflex
a protective movement that results in blinking, moving the head posteriorly and pupillary constriction
the two identical cells produced when a parent cell divides by mitosis
daughter cells
abnormal extension of the arms with rotation of the wrists along with toe pointing. This indicates brainstem damage
decerebrate posturing
abnormal flexion of the arms toward the chest with the toes pointed. It indicates lower cerebral damage
decorticate posturing
movement of the nerves form one side of the brain to the opposite side of the body
decussation
thoughts, ideas, or perceived abilities that have no basis in common reality
delusions
the slow, progressive onset of disorientation, shortened attention span, and loss of cognitive function
dementia
the part of the brain that lies between the brainstem and the cerebrum and includes the thalamus and hypothalamus
diencephalon
contractions of body into bizarre positions
dystonia
nerves that leave the brain through the peripheral nervous system and convey commands to other parts of the body
efferent nerves
a toxin released by some bacteria when they die
endotoxin
a toxin secreted by living cells to aid in the death and digestion of other cells
exotoxin
damage or loss in the ability to speak
expressive aphasia
walking or ambulating
gait