Coma Flashcards
1
Q
What is the definition of coma?
A
state of unarousable responsiveness
2
Q
What are some of the reversible causes of coma and how do you treat?
A
give naloxone, give thiamine THEN glucose to prevent wernicke’s encephalopathy
3
Q
A patient in a depressed consciousness state is found to have focal signs. this means the cause is likely..
A
structural
4
Q
What is the definition of death?
A
brain death or cessation of cardiopulmonary function
brain death = absence of brainstem functions no spontaneous respirations
5
Q
What is Wernicke’s disorder? How is it different from Korsakoff?
A
Wernicke’s - thiamine deficiency causing acute confusion, coma, ataxia. Korsakoff is long term anterograde amnesia that can arise after Wernicke’s has resolved
