Chapter 06 - Altered Level of Consciousness

Question 1

absence seizure

Answer 1

Brief (usually less than 20 seconds), generalized epileptic seizure of sudden onset and termination. Sometimes referred to as a petit mal seizure.

Question 2

altered level of consciousness

Answer 2

Any state of consciousness that differs from what is considered a normal state of consciousness. An altered LOC can be present in any age group.

Question 3

arteriovenous shunt

Answer 3

A surgical opening between an artery and a vein typically created to allow dialysis access.

Question 4

autonomic nervous system

Answer 4

The part of the nervous system that regulates involuntary functions, such as digestion and sweating. The two major divisions of the autonomic nervous system are the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.

Question 5

behavioral emergencies

Answer 5

Situations in which a persons presenting problem is some disorder of mood, thought, or behavior that interferes with his or her activities of daily living.

Question 6

complex partial seizure

Answer 6

The patient has an altered mental status and does not interact normally with his or her environment. Alterations may include repetitive motor activity.

Question 7

epidural bleeding

Answer 7

A life threatening hemorrhage that develops between the brain and the skull; shearing and tearing of the arteries above the dural lining of the brain allow blood to escape into the cavity and compress the brain.

Question 8

exotoxin

Answer 8

A toxin secreted by bacteria. An exotoxin can cause damage to the host by destroying cells or disrupting normal cellular metabolism.

Question 9

generalized seizure

Answer 9

Seizure characterized by severe twitching of all the body’s muscles that may last several minutes or more.

Question 10

glucagon

Answer 10

The hormone released from the alpha cells in the islets of langerhans that converts glycogen back into glucose when the body’s blood glucose levels drop.

Question 11

gluconeogenisis

Answer 11

The process by which glycogen is converted back into glucose.

Question 12

grand mal seizure

Answer 12

Former term for generalized seizure. See “generalized seizure”.

Question 13

hemorrhagic stroke

Answer 13

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

Question 14

huffer

Answer 14

A slang term for anyone who inhales fumes as a form of drug abuse.

Question 15

hyperglycemia

Answer 15

High circulating blood glucose levels.

Question 16

hypoglycemia

Answer 16

Low circulating blood glucose levels.

Question 17

idiopathic

Answer 17

When referring to seizures, meaning there is no known medical reason for their development.

Question 18

infection

Answer 18

Disease caused by the abnormal invasion and growth of a host or host tissue by organisms such as bacteria, viruses or parasites.

Question 19

insulin shock

Answer 19

Unconsciousness or altered mental status in a patient with diabetes caused by significant hypoglycemia; usually the result of excessive exercise and activity or failure to eat after a routine dose of insulin.

Question 20

ischemia

Answer 20

A restriction in blood supply to tissues, causing a shortage of oxygen and glucose needed for cellular metabolism.

Question 21

ischemic stroke

Answer 21

Also known as a brain attack; occurs as a result of either blood clots or plaque buildup curling off blood flow to a particular part of the brain.

Question 22

Jacksonian seizure

Answer 22

A focal motor seizure presenting with muscle spasms in the patient, affecting only one side of the body.

Question 23

Kussmaul respirations

Answer 23

A breathing pattern characterized by rapid and deep respirations that develops after a patients pH levels become acidotic.

Question 24

neural toxin

Answer 24

A toxin that works by binding to neural synapses and preventing the release or reabsorption of neural transmitters, thereby causing paralysis.

Question 25

petit mal seizure

Answer 25

Brief (usually less than 20 seconds), generalized epileptic seizure of sudden onset and termination. See “absence seizure.”

Question 26

poison

Answer 26

A substance whose chemical action could damage structures or impair function when introduced into the body.

Question 27

postictal phase

Answer 27

Period following a seizure and lasting between 5 and 30 minutes, characterized by labored respirations and some degree of altered mental status.

Question 28

psychiatric emergencies

Answer 28

Emergencies in which abnormal behavior threatens a persons health and safety or the health and safety of another person, for example when a person becomes suicidal, homicidal, or has a psychotic episode.

Question 29

psychomotor seizure

Answer 29

A type of seizure characterized by drowsiness, listlessness, or even a violence and often associated with a loss of consciousness.

Question 30

repetitive motor activity

Answer 30

A movement of the body that occurs over and over again, such as lip smacking or eye blinking, usually caused by a seizure.

Question 31

reticular activation system (RAS)

Answer 31

The system that is responsible for regulating the conscious state; it consists if the brainstem, pons, medulla, midbrain, hypothalamus, and thalamus.

Question 32

seizure disorder

Answer 32

A syndrome of recurrent seizures that is not due to an underlying metabolic cause.

Question 33

sepsis

Answer 33

Widespread infection throughout the body.

Question 34

simple partial seizure

Answer 34

A seizure that does not affect consciousness but can affect areas of the brain controlling auditory, motor, or autonomic functions.

Question 35

subdural bleeding

Answer 35

Venous bleeding that develops beneath the dura mater in the brain.

Question 36

tonic-clonic seizure

Answer 36

A type of seizure that features rhythmic back and forth motion of an extremity and body stiffness.

Question 37

toxin

Answer 37

A poison or harmful substance produced by bacteria, animals, or plants.

Question 38

uremia

Answer 38

Severe kidney failure resulting in the buildup of waste products within the blood. Eventually brain functions will be impaired.

Question 39

uremic encephalopathy

Answer 39

Cerebral dysfunction due to the buildup of urea from dtysfunctioning kidneys.