CNS DIS Flashcards
Progressive failure of cerebral functions that is not caused by an impaired level of consciousness is:
Dementia
T or F: Dementia frequently has an abrupt onset.
FALSE. Dementia never has an abrupt onset. If there is abrupt onset it is not dementia but another disease
What causes Alzheimer’s disease?
An abruption in the cholenergic system, decrease in ACE, decrease in number of cells in the brain
Alzheimer’s can cause an disturbances in:
Nerve cell communication, Decreased Metabolism, decreased Cell repair
What is the most common clinical manifestation of Alzheimer’s disease?
Gradual onset with a chronic progressive decline in cognitive functioning
Other cognitive manifestations of Alzheimer’s include:
Short term memory loss, Anxiety and agitation, Judgment, problem-solving and communication problems
On a day to day care basis, Alzheimer’s can cause
Loss of ability to complete ADLs
An end stage clinical manifestation of Alzheimer’s is:
Loss of bowel and bladder incontinence
The MMSE test is used to assess:
The stages of Alzheimer’s
A high MMSE score correlates with (beginning or end) stage of the disease, a low MMSE score correlates with (beginning or end) stage of the disease
Beginning; end
Compared to a healthy brain, a brain of a person with Alzheimer’s disease will have these key differences:
Cortical shrinkage, enlarged ventricles, shrinking of the hippocampus- the more severe the disease, the more shrinkage will occur
How is the decrease in ACE (associated with Alzheimer’s disease) managed?
*Increase ACETYLCHOLINE level by decrease its reuptake
*Pharmacologic agents that prevent Acetylcholine from breaking down.
[Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors (AChEls)]
T or F: The purpose of Alzheimer’s treatments is to slow the progression of the disease.
FALSE. The progression cannot be stopped
What are the two main goals of Alzheimer’s drug treatments?
Improve cognitive function: memory, and Symptom control
T or F: Alzheimer’s drugs should be given in very small doses.
TRUE.
Seizures are:
Abnormal electrical activities within the NERVE CELLS in the brain
Seizures occur when:
A Synchronous, high frequency depolarization of a focus spreads to other parts of the brain
T or F: All seizures will manifest in generally the same way.
FALSE. Manifestations depend on location of focus and recruitment of other parts of the brain.
Congenital defects, Hypoxia at birth, Head Trauma, and cancer are all causes of:
Seizures
Hypokinesia causes:
paresis, paralysis
Define paresis:
Muscular weakness due to nerve damage
Hyperkinesia causes:
Chorea, tremors
Define chorea:
A neurological disorder characterized by jerky involuntary movements
flaccidity and floppiness is a result of:
Hypotonia
Dysphagia, speech impairment, excitability, spasticity, and posturing are results of:
Hypertonia
Define dysphasia:
Difficulty swallowing as a symptom of disease
What are two types of posturing?
decerebrate, decorticate
A position in which the patient holds their upper arms at their sides with elbows, wrists, and fingers flexed while legs are extended and internally rotated, and feet are plantar flexed is _______________ posture.
Decorticate
A position in which jaws are clenched, neck is extended, arms are addicted and stiffly extended at the elbows with forearms probated, wrists and fingers flexed is____________posturing
Decerebrate
What are the two types of seizures?
Partial and generalized
What is the major difference between simple and complex partial seizures?
Level of consciousness: in complex you will see loss of consciousness
A seizure that only involves part of the brain is considered:
A partial seizure
A seizure that involves the whole brain in addition with loss of consciousness is:
A generalized seizure
A tonic seizure involves:
Contraction of the muscles