Chapter 18- Neurologic Emergencies

Question 1

Altered Mental Status (AMS)

Answer 1

Any deviation from alert and oriented to person, place, time and event, or any deviation from a patient’s normal baseline mental status.

Question 2

Aneurysm

Answer 2

A Swelling or enlargement of a part of an artery, resulting from weakening of the arterial wall/

Question 3

Aphasia

Answer 3

The inability to understand and/or produce speech.

Question 4

Atherosclerosis

Answer 4

Disorder in which cholesterol and calcium build up inside the walls of blood vessels, eventually leading to partial or complete blockage of blood flow.

Question 5

Aura

Answer 5

Sensation experienced before seizure; warning sign that a seizure is about to occur

Question 6

Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA)

Answer 6

Stroke; Interruption of blood flow to the brain that results in loss of brain function.

Question 7

Coma

Answer 7

State of profound unconsciousness that patient can’t be roused.

Question 8

Delirium

Answer 8

Temporary change in mental status characterized by:
-disorganized thoughts
-inattention
-memory loss
-disorientation
-striking changes in personality and affect
-hallucinations
-delusions
-decreased level of consciousness

Question 9

Dysarthria

Answer 9

Slurred speech

Question 10

Embolus

Answer 10

Blood clot/other substance in circulatory system that travels to blood vessel where it causes blockage of blood flow.

Question 11

Epilepsy

Answer 11

Disorder in which abnormal electrical discharges occur in brain causing seizures and possible loss of consciousness

Question 12

Febrile Seizures

Answer 12

Results from sudden high fevers; often in children

Question 13

Focal Seizure

Answer 13

Affects limited portion of the brain

Question 14

Generalized Seizure

Answer 14

Characterized by severe twitching of all muscles that can last several minutes+

Question 15

Hemiparesis

Answer 15

Weakness on one side of the body

Question 16

Hemorrhagic Stroke

Answer 16

Occurs as a result of bleeding inside the brain

Question 17

Hyperglycemia

Answer 17

Abnormally High blood glucose level

Question 18

Hypoglycemia

Answer 18

Abnormally low blood glucose level

Question 19

Incontinence

Answer 19

Loss of bowel/bladder control; may be result of a generalized stroke

Question 20

Ischemia

Answer 20

Lack of O2 that deprives tissues of necessary nutrients, resulting from partial or complete blockage of blood flow; potentially reversible since severe damage has not yet occurred

Question 21

Ischemic stroke

Answer 21

Occurs when blood flow to partial part of the brain is cut off by a blockage (i.e. blood clot) inside a blood vessel

Question 22

Postictal State

Answer 22

Period following seizure that lasts 5-30mins; characterized by labored respirations and some degree of altered mental status

Question 23

Seizure

Answer 23

Neurological episode caused by surge of electrical activity in brain; can be a convulsion characterized by generalized, uncoordinated muscular activity, and possible loss of consciousness

Question 24

Status epilepticus

Answer 24

condition where seizures recur every few minutes or last longer than 30mins

Question 25

Stroke

Answer 25

Interruption of blood flow in brain resulting in loss of brain function; (CVA)

Question 26

Syncope

Answer 26

Fainting spell or transient loss of consciousness

Question 27

thrombosis

Answer 27

Blood clot in atrial or venous system. If clot occurs in cerebral artery, may result in interruption of cerebral blood flow and subsequent stroke

Question 28

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)

Answer 28

Disorder of brain, brain cells temporarily stop functioning because of insufficient O2, causing stroke like symptoms that resolve completely within 24 hours of onset