Concepts Exam #2 (Ch. 41) Flashcards
Stuporous
One who is arousable one with vigorous or painful stimulation.
Lethargic Patient
Is drowsy but is easily awakened
Recall Memory
“Recent” - Ex) Dates doctor appointment.
Remote Memory
“Long-term” Birthday, anything from the past that can be verified.
Immediate Memory
“New” - Give patient 3 unrelated words such as apple, street, chair, and have patient repeat the words.
Delirium
Acute confusional state, characterized by a new and sudden cognitive impairment. Includes disturbances in consciousness, attention, memory deficits, and perceptual disturbances.
Decortication
Abnormal motor movement seen in the patient with lesions that interrupt the corticospinal pathways.
Decerebration
Abnormal movement with rigidity characterized by extension of the arms and legs, pronation of the arms, plantar flexion, and opisthotonos (body spasm in which the body is bowed forward).
What is a significant amount of change in Glascow Coma Scale that warrants communication to the health provider?
A decrease of 2 or more points. Changes in cognition are the EARLIEST signs of changes in neurologic status.
Difference in MRI and CT Scan
MRI has advantages over CT in the imaging of brain, spinal cord, and nerve roots. MRI does not use ionizing radiation but, instead, relies on magnetic fields. Bones cannot be viewed with MRI. CT scans are best way to see bones.
Lumbar Puncture (Spinal Tap)
Insertion of a spinal needle into subarachnoid space between the 3rd and 4th lumbar vertebrae.
Lumbar Puncture Functions are:
Obtain CSF pressure readings with a manometer; obtain CSF for analysis; Check for spinal blockage caused by spinal cord lesion; inject contrast medium or air for diagnostic study; inject spinal anesthetics; inject selected drugs
Nursing Alert for lumbar puncture
Patient cannot move during lumbar puncture! Patient can receive sedative for procedure if they are restless.
