Chapter 15 Neurologic Emergencies

Question 1

A condition characterized by a low blood glucose level.

Answer 1

Hypoglycemia

Question 2

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

Answer 2

Embolus

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

A state of profound unconsciousness from which one cannot be roused.

Answer 4

Coma

Question 5

Loss of bowel and/or bladder control; may be the result of a generalized seizure.

Answer 5

Incontinence

Question 6

Seizures that result from sudden high fevers, particularly in children.

Answer 6

Febrile seizures

Question 7

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

Answer 7

Aneurysm

Question 8

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

Answer 8

Tonic-clonic seizure

Question 9

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

Answer 9

Hemorrahagic stroke

Question 10

Generalized, uncoordinated muscular activity associated with loss of consciousness; a convulsion.

Answer 10

Seizure

Question 11

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 11

Ischemia

Question 12

Weakness on one side of the body.

Answer 12

Hemiparesis

Question 13

An interruption of blood flow to the brain that results in the loss of brain function. Also called a stroke.

Answer 13

Cerebrovascular accident (CVA)

Question 14

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

Answer 14

Status epilepticus

Question 15

A seizure affecting a limited portion of the brain.

Answer 15

Partial seizure

Question 16

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

Answer 16

Postictal state

Question 17

A seizure characterized by severe twitching of all the body’s muscles that may last several minutes or more; formerly known as a grand mal seizure.

Answer 17

Generalized seizure

Question 18

The inability to understand and/or produce speech.

Answer 18

Aphasia

Question 19

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 19

Transient ischemic attack (TIA)

Question 20

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

Answer 20

Thrombosis

Question 21

Slurred speech.

Answer 21

Dysarthria

Question 22

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 22

Ischemic stroke

Question 23

An interruption of blood flow to the brain that results in the loss of brain function; also called a cerebrovascular accident (CVA)

Answer 23

Stroke