Chapter 06 - Altered Level of Consciousness Flashcards
absence seizure
Brief (usually less than 20 seconds), generalized epileptic seizure of sudden onset and termination. Sometimes referred to as a petit mal seizure.
altered level of consciousness
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.
arteriovenous shunt
A surgical opening between an artery and a vein typically created to allow dialysis access.
autonomic nervous system
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.
behavioral emergencies
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.
complex partial seizure
The patient has an altered mental status and does not interact normally with his or her environment. Alterations may include repetitive motor activity.
epidural bleeding
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.
exotoxin
A toxin secreted by bacteria. An exotoxin can cause damage to the host by destroying cells or disrupting normal cellular metabolism.
generalized seizure
Seizure characterized by severe twitching of all the body’s muscles that may last several minutes or more.
glucagon
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.
gluconeogenisis
The process by which glycogen is converted back into glucose.
grand mal seizure
Former term for generalized seizure. See “generalized seizure”.
hemorrhagic stroke
One of the two main types of stroke; occurs as a results of bleeding inside of the brain.
huffer
A slang term for anyone who inhales fumes as a form of drug abuse.
hyperglycemia
High circulating blood glucose levels.
hypoglycemia
Low circulating blood glucose levels.
idiopathic
When referring to seizures, meaning there is no known medical reason for their development.
infection
Disease caused by the abnormal invasion and growth of a host or host tissue by organisms such as bacteria, viruses or parasites.
insulin shock
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.
ischemia
A restriction in blood supply to tissues, causing a shortage of oxygen and glucose needed for cellular metabolism.
ischemic stroke
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.
Jacksonian seizure
A focal motor seizure presenting with muscle spasms in the patient, affecting only one side of the body.
Kussmaul respirations
A breathing pattern characterized by rapid and deep respirations that develops after a patients pH levels become acidotic.
neural toxin
A toxin that works by binding to neural synapses and preventing the release or reabsorption of neural transmitters, thereby causing paralysis.
petit mal seizure
Brief (usually less than 20 seconds), generalized epileptic seizure of sudden onset and termination. See “absence seizure.”
poison
A substance whose chemical action could damage structures or impair function when introduced into the body.
postictal phase
Period following a seizure and lasting between 5 and 30 minutes, characterized by labored respirations and some degree of altered mental status.
psychiatric emergencies
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.
psychomotor seizure
A type of seizure characterized by drowsiness, listlessness, or even a violence and often associated with a loss of consciousness.
repetitive motor activity
A movement of the body that occurs over and over again, such as lip smacking or eye blinking, usually caused by a seizure.
reticular activation system (RAS)
The system that is responsible for regulating the conscious state; it consists if the brainstem, pons, medulla, midbrain, hypothalamus, and thalamus.
seizure disorder
A syndrome of recurrent seizures that is not due to an underlying metabolic cause.
sepsis
Widespread infection throughout the body.
simple partial seizure
A seizure that does not affect consciousness but can affect areas of the brain controlling auditory, motor, or autonomic functions.
subdural bleeding
Venous bleeding that develops beneath the dura mater in the brain.
tonic-clonic seizure
A type of seizure that features rhythmic back and forth motion of an extremity and body stiffness.
toxin
A poison or harmful substance produced by bacteria, animals, or plants.
uremia
Severe kidney failure resulting in the buildup of waste products within the blood. Eventually brain functions will be impaired.
uremic encephalopathy
Cerebral dysfunction due to the buildup of urea from dtysfunctioning kidneys.
