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
evaluation tool used to determine level of consciousness and effective in determining patient outcomes
GCS scale
damage or loss of both the ability to speak and understand speech
global aphasia
a rare condition that begins as a sensation of weakness and tingling in the legs moving to the arms and thorax; the disorder can lead to paralysis within two weeks
Guillain Barre Syndrome
sensory stimulation that cannot be verified by others
hallucinations
weakness to one side of the body
hemiparesis
paralysis to one side of the body
hemiplegia
one of the two main types of stroke and occurs as a result of bleeding inside the brain
hemorrhagic
compromising the most inferior portion of the diencephalon, the hypothalamus controls many essential functions, including pulse rate, digestion, sexual development, temperature regulation, hunger, thirst, and sleep wake cycle
hypothalamus
of no known cause
idiopathic
the number of people in a given population like the US and are newly diagnosed with a particular disease or disorder in a specified 1 yr period
incidence
a tremor that occurs when trying to accomplish a task
intention tremor
one of the two main types of stroke and sometimes called an occlusive stoke; occurs when blood flow to a particular part of the brain is cut off by a blockage like an occlusion within an artery
ischemic
the wave like movement of a seizure from a point of focus to other areas of the brain
Jacksonian march
structures within the cerebrum and diencephalon that influence emotions, motivation, mood, and sensations of pain and pleasure
limbic system
the inferior portion of the midbrain which serves as the conduction pathway for ascending and descending nerve tracts
medulla oblongata
the process by which cells from a malignant neoplasm break away from their site of origin such as the lung and move through the bloodstream or lymphatic system to other body sites such as the brain
metastasis
the part of the brain responsible for helping to regulate level of consciousness
midbrain
an autoimmune condition in which the body attacks the myelin that insulates the brain and spinal cord causing scarring
multiple sclerosis (MS)
a change in the sequence of a cell’s DNA that damages the cell’s structure or impedes its ability to function
mutation
a condition in which the body generates antibodies against its own ACh receptor, causing muscle weakness and often in the face
myasthenia gravis
an insulating sheath that envelops certain types of neurons, allowing the cells to transmit electricity along their axons without dissipation of the signal as it moves through surrounding fluids and tissues
myelin
jerking motions of the body
myoclonus
a tumor
neoplasm
a chemical produced by the body that stimulates electrical reactions in adjacent neurons
neurotransmitter
the rhythmic shaking of the eyes
nystagmus
sensation of tingling, numbness, or pins and needles in a body part
paresthesia
a neurologic condition in which the portion of the brain responsible for production of dopamine has been damaged or overused resulting in tremors
Parkinson Disease
the part of the nervous system that consists of 31 pairs of spinal nerves and 12 pairs of cranial nerves. These nerves may be sensory, motor, or connecting nerves
peripheral nervous system (PNS)
a group of conditions in which the nerves that exit the spinal cord are damaged; distorting signals to and from the brain. One type of peripheral neuropathy is caused by diabetes; peripheral nerves are damaged as the blood glucose level rises resulting in lack of sensation, numbness, burning, pain, paresthesia, and muscle weakness
peripheral neuropathy
the gland that secretes hormones that regulate the function of many other glands in the body also called the hypophysis
pituitary gland
a viral infection that attacks and destroys nerve axons, like motor axons. The disease can cause weakness, paralysis, and respiratory arrest. Because an effective vaccine has been developed, the incidence of the disease is now rare
poliomyelitis
the portion of the brainstem that lies below the midbrain and contains nerve fibers that affect sleep and respiration
pons
the period of time after a seizure in which the brain is reorganizing activity
postictal
the death of nerve fibers as a late consequence of polio; the syndrome is characterized by swallowing difficulties, weakness, fatigue, and breathing problems
postpolio syndrome
a tremor that occurs as the person holds a body part still
postural tremor
abnormal body positioning that indicates damage to the brain
posturing
the total number of people in a given population who have a particular disease
prevalence
the early signs and symptoms that occur before a disease or condition fully appears like dizziness before fainting
prodromal/prodrome
turning of the lower arms in a palm downward manner
pronation
breaking with a common reality and existing mainly within an internal world
psychosis
prolapse of a body part; often refers to a drooping of the eyelid
ptosis
damage to or loss of the ability to understand speech
receptive aphasia
a tremor that occurs when the body part is not in motion
rest tremor
stiffness or hardness (in motion). Found in patients with parkinson’ disease
rigidity
a developmental anomaly in which a portion of the spinal cord or meninges protrudes outside the spinal column or even outside the body, usually in the area of the lumbar spine (the lower third of the spine)
spina bifida
a condition in which seizures recur every few minutes or in which seizure activity lasts more than 30 minutes
status epilepticus
a small notch located on the frontal bone near the inner upper area of each orbit
supraorbital foramen
gaps between nerve cells, across which nervous stimuli are transmitted
synapses
a fainting spell or transient loss of conciousness
syncope
a type of seizure movement involving the constant contraction and trembling o muscle groups
tonic activity
a disorder in which brain cells temporarily stop working because of insufficient oxygen causing stroke like symptoms that resolve completely within the 24 hours of onset
transient ischemic attack (TIA)
fine involuntarily, rhythmic movements, usually involving the hands or head
tremors
the involuntary contraction of the mouth resulting in clenched teeth. Occurs during seizures and head injuries
trismus
severe renal failure resulting in the buildup of waste products within the blood. Eventually brain functions will be impaired
uremia
