Ch11 Key Terms - Altered Mental Status Flashcards
A sudden, temporary loss of mental awareness and physical activity lasting a few seconds to several minutes; also known as a petit mal seizure.
Absence seizure
A condition in which a person’s level of awareness or responsiveness has changed
Altered mental status
A subjective sensation that precedes a seizure.
Aura
The spasmodic jerking of muscles during a seizure
Clonic activity
An abnormal loss of responsiveness during which the patient cannot be aroused by external stimuli.
Coma
A state of mental contusion and/or excitement characterized by disorientation with respect to time and place; may be associated with delusions and hallucinations.
Delirium
A disease in which the body’s ability to produce or respond to the hormone insulin is impaired, resulting in abnormal metabolism of carbohydrates (sugars) causing elevated levels of glucose in the blood and urine.
Diabetes mellitus
A disorder in which abnormal electrical discharges occur in the brain, causing seizure and possible loss of responsiveness.
Epilepsy
A seizure consisting of the sudden onset of unresponsiveness, tonic contraction of muscles, loss of postural control, and a cry caused by contraction of respiratory muscles that forces an exhalation; clonic contractions of muscles occur,
followed by a period of somnolence.
Generalized seizure
A simple sugar that is the product of carbohydrate digestion in the body and the chief source of energy tor most cells, especially neurons.
Glucose
An excess of glucose in the blood; when severe, may be associated with contusion or changes in mental status.
Hyperglycemia
A hormone produced in the pancreas that regulates blood sugar levels.
Insulin
Excessive thirst and fluid intake.
Polydipsia
A neurologic episode caused by a surge of electrical activity in the brain; can be a convulsion characterized by generalized, uncoordinated muscular activity, and can be associated with loss of responsiveness.
Seizure
An interruption of blood flow to the brain that results in the loss of brain function; also called a cerebrovascular accident (CVA).
Stroke
