Chapter 17: Neurological Emergencies

Question 1

The ability to understand and/or produce speech.

Answer 1

Aphasia

Question 2

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

Answer 2

Aura

Question 3

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

Answer 3

Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA)

Question 4

A state of profound unconsciousness from which the patient cannot be roused.

Answer 4

Coma

Question 5

A sudden change in mental status that is generally acute and reversible, characterized by disorientation, inability to focus, inattention, inability to think logically, memory loss, striking changes in personality and affect, hallucinations, delusions, or a decreased level of consciousness.

Answer 5

Delirium

Question 6

Slurred Speech

Answer 6

Dysarthria

Question 7

A disorder in which abnormal electrical discharges occur in the brain, causing seizure and possible loss of consciousness.

Answer 7

Epilepsy

Question 8

Seizures that result from sudden high fevers; most often seen in children.

Answer 8

Febrile Seizures

Question 9

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 9

Generalized Seizure

Question 10

One of the basic sugars; it is the primary fuel, in conjunction with oxygen, for cellular metabolism.

Answer 10

Glucose

Question 11

Weakness on one side of the body.

Answer 11

Hemiparesis

Question 12

A type of stroke that occurs as a result of bleeding inside the brain.

Answer 12

Hemorrhagic Stroke

Question 13

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

Answer 13

Incontinence

Question 14

A type of stroke that occurs when blood flow to a particular part of the brain is cut off by a blockage (e.g.- a blood clot) inside a blood vessel.

Answer 14

Ischemic Stroke

Question 15

A seizure affecting a limited portion of the brain.

Answer 15

Partial Seizure

Question 16

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

Answer 16

Postictal State

Question 17

A neurological episode caused by a surge of electrical activity in the brain; can be a convulsion characterized by generalized, uncoordinated muscular activity, and can associated with loss of consciousness.

Answer 17

Seizure

Question 18

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

Answer 18

Status Epilepticus

Question 19

A blood clot, either in the arterial or venous system. When the clot occurs in a cerebral artery, it may result in the interruption of cerebral blood flow and subsequent stroke.

Answer 19

Thrombosis

Question 20

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

Answer 20

Transient Ischemic Attack