Chapter 15 - Neurologic Emergencies

Question 1

A swelling or enlargement of part of a blood vessel, resulting from weakening of the vessel wall.

Answer 1

anuerysm

Question 2

The inability to understand and/or produce speech.

Answer 2

aphasia

Question 3

A sensation experienced prior to a seizure; serves as a warning sign that a seizure is about to occur.

Answer 3

aura

Question 4

Slurred speech.

Answer 4

dysarthria

Question 5

A blood clot or other substance in the circulatory system that travels to a blood vessel where it causes a blockage.

Answer 5

embolus

Question 6

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

Answer 6

generalized seizure

Question 7

Weakness on one side of the body.

Answer 7

hemiparesis

Question 8

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

Answer 8

hemorrhagic stroke

Question 9

A lack of oxygen that deprives tissues of necessary nutrients, resulting from partial or complete blockage of blood flow; potentially reversible because permanent injury has not yet occurred.

Answer 9

ischemia

Question 10

One of the two main types of stroke; occurs when blood flow to a particular part of the brain is cut off by a blockage (eg, a clot) inside a blood vessel.

Answer 10

ischemic stroke

Question 11

A seizure affecting a limited portion of the brain.

Answer 11

partial seizure

Question 12

A period following a seizure that lasts between 5 and 30 minutes; characterized by labored respirations and some degree of altered mental status.

Answer 12

postictal state

Question 13

A condition in which seizures recur every few minutes or last more than 30 minutes.

Answer 13

status epilepticus

Question 14

A blood clot, either in the arterial or venous system.

Answer 14

thrombosis

Question 15

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

Answer 15

tonic-clonic seizure

Question 16

A disorder of the brain in which brain cells temporarily stop working because of insufficient oxygen, causing strokelike symptoms that resolve completely within 24 hours of onset.

Answer 16

transient ischemic attack (TIA)

Question 17

Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale

Answer 17

Facial Droop (Ask patient to show teeth or smile)
evaluate equal movement of both sides of face

Arm Drift (Ask patient to close eyes and hold both arms out with palms up)
evaluate even lift as well as drift down

Speech (Ask patient to say, “The sky is blue in Cincinnati.”

Question 18

Los Angeles Prehospital Stroke Screen

Answer 18

1. Age > 45?
2. History of seizures or epilepsy absent?
3. Symptoms < 24 hours?
4. At baseline, patient not wheelchair-based or bedridden?
5. Blood glucose 60 - 4– mg/dL?
6. Obvious asymmetry in any one of:
   Facial smile?
   Grip?
   Arm Strength?
   If 1 - 6 are marked yes, stroke is 97% likely.

Question 19

Glasgow Coma Scale

Answer 19

Eye opening 4 - 1
Best verbal response 5 - 1
Best motor response 6 - 1