Chapter 17 Neurologic Emergencies Flashcards
Coma
A state of profound unconsciousness
What causes tension headaches?
Caused by muscle contractions in the head and neck and are attributed to stress.
What causes migraine headaches?
Are thought to be caused by changes in blood vessel size in the base of the brain.
What causes sinus headaches?
Caused by pressure that is the result of fluid accumulation in the sinus cavities.
Cerebrovascular accident (CVA)
A stroke, an interruption of blood flow to an area within the brain that results in the loss of brain function
Ischemic stroke
According to the American stroke association, this is the most common type of stroke accounting for more than 80% of all strokes.
When blood flow to a particular part of the brain is stopped by a blockage (blood clot) inside a blood vessel.
Thrombosis
Where a clot forms at the site of blockage
Embolus
Where the blood clot forms in a remote area and then travels to the site of the blockage.
Atherosclerosis
A disorder in which calcium and cholesterol build up, forming plaque inside the walls of the blood vessels.
Hemorrhagic stroke
Occurs as a result of bleeding inside the brain
Aneurysm
A swelling or enlargement of the wall of an artery resulting from a defect or weakening of the arterial wall.
Berry aneurysm
This type of aneurysm resembles a tiny balloon that juts out from the artery
Transient ischemic attack (TIA)
When stroke-like symptoms resolve on their own in less than 24 hours.
Aphasia
The inability to produce or understand speech
Signs and symptoms of stroke
- facial drooping
- sudden weakness or numbness in the face, arm, leg, or one side of the body
- decreased or absent movement and sensation on one side of the body
- lack of muscle coordination (ataxia) or loss of balance
- sudden vision loss in one eye; blurred or double vision
- difficulty swallowing
- decreased level of responsiveness
- speech disorders
- aphasia; difficulty expressing thoughts or inability to use the right words or difficulty understanding spoken words
- slurred speech (dysarthria)
- sudden and severe headache
- confusion
- dizziness
- weakness
- combativeness
- restlessness
- tongue deviation
- coma
Seizure
A neurologic episode caused by a surge of electrical activity in the brain.
Postictal state
Period following a seizure that lasts between 5 and 30 minutes
Characterized by labored respiration’s and some degree of altered mental status
Conditions that may mimic stroke
- Hypoglycemia
- postictal state
- subdural or epidural bleeding
Generalized seizure (tonic-clonic)
Results from abnormal electrical discharges from large areas of the brain, usually involving both hemispheres
Partial (focal) seizure
Begins in one part of the brain.
Are classified as simple or complex
In simple, no changes occurs in the patient’s level of consciousness
In complex the patient has an altered mental status and does not interact normally with his or her environment. This type of seizure results from abnormal discharges from the temporal lobe of the brain
Aura
Warning sign prior to a seizure
Status epilepticus
Seizures that continue every few minutes without the person regaining consciousness or last longer than 30 minutes.
Medications used most often to treat seizures include the following:
- levetiracetam
- phenytoin
- phenobarbital
- carbamazepine
- valproate
- topiramate
- clonazepam
Seizures from a metabolic cause may result from
- abnormal levels of certain blood chemicals
- hypoglycemia
- poisons
- drug overdose
- or sudden withdrawal of routine heavy alcohol or sedative drug use or even prescribed medications
Febrile seizures
Seizures that result from sudden high fevers, particularly in children
Incontinence
Loss of bowel or bladder control
Hemiparesis
Weakness on one side of the body
Postictal state
The period following a seizure that lasts 5 to 30 minutes;
Characterized by labored respiration’s and some degree of altered mental status
Altered mental status
Means the patient is not thinking clearly or is incapable of being aroused
Hypoglycemia can mimic conditions in the brain associated with…
Stroke
