EXAM 1 Flashcards
What are the 5 main seizure precautions to remember
- Airways - suctioning equipment if needed
- Safety- seizure pads
- O2 - monitoring oxygen
- Duration : document
- vitals
Define Cryptogenic seizures
unknown cause and random
Define Epilepsy
Chronic seizure disorder - classified by 2 or more seizures within a 24 hour period.
What is Glutamate
the main excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain.
What is NMDA
Primary receptor to glutamate. opens ion and calcium channels to excite brain
What is GABA - Gamma Aminobutyric acid
The main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, tells everything to calm down
Define Automatisms
repetitive movements related to seizures onset or during - unconsciousness- such as lip smacking, chewing or swallowing.
What is the Precital Phase to a seizure
The BEFORE - before a seizure happens, this time includes triggers, auras or descriptive symptoms as to what kind of seizure one may be having.
What is the Postictal Phase to a seizure
Time after seizure lasting 5-30min in an altered state of consciousness. May need 1-2 days of recovery
Define Todd’s Paralysis
the period post seizure where some people experience paralysis for up to 15 hrs.
What two brain imaging can one get to diagnose seizure disorders
- MRI
- CT scan
What does EEG stand for and what does it scan
Electroencephalogram
- monitors electrical signals in brain
-like heart monitor for brain
What are two surgical procedure to help prevent seizures
Deep brain stimulation:
Electrodes placed in brain to regulate impulses.
Partial corpus callosotomy:
removing seizure causing tissue in brain (pediatrics)
What is a ABSENCE seizure
person looses consciousness
What is a Atonic seizure
persons muscles go limp or weak during seizure - no convulsions
What is a Tonic seizure
Persons muscle tighten and stiffen during seizure
What is a Tonic- Clonic seizure
A sequence of the bodies muscles stiffening and convulsing.
Define Status Epilepticus
Seizures lasting longer than 5 min - MEDICAL EMERGENCY interventions needed asap
What are the two most common seizure medications (Anticonvulsants)
Phenytoin (Dilatin)
Levetiracetam (keppra)
What are the 4 hypertensive medications - explain each
Ace Inhibitors “pril”
ARBS “Sartan”
Beta - blockers “olol” “lol”
Calcium channel blockers
What are Benzodiazepines - list suffix
“pam”
anti-anxiety medications
What do anti-lipids do - list suffix
lower cholesterol
“statin”
What are the 2 common Anti-depressive medications
Sertraline (Zolof)
Venlafaxine (Effexor)
What is Lantanoprost (xalatan) and what does it do
- ophthalmic glaucoma agent
lowers pressure build up in eyes.
List 2 Antipsychotic medications (chemical restraints)
Haloperidol (Haldol)
Lorazepam (Ativan)
List 3 OPIOID medications
Hydrocodone (Lortab)
Morphine
Duragesic patch
List 3 non-opioid medications
Acetylsalicylic Acid - ASA- Asprin
Ibuprofen - Advil
Acetaminophen - Tyllenol/Sudafed
define deconditioning
rapid loss of strength from being bed-bound. Common in older patients
What is a rubefacient?
topically applied substances that cause local dilation of blood vessels and reddening of the skin, producing local sensations of coolness and warmth that many people find soothing
EX: Icy Hot
nystabmus
Rapid eye movement
define ataxia
loosing coordination
Describe the difference between:
-hyperopia
-myopia
-presbyopia
Hyperopia: farsightedness
Myopia: nearsightedness
Presbyopia: normal part of aging where eye has difficulty focusing on objects
Define conjunctivitis
pink eye
define cataracts
clouding of lens in eye
define glaucoma
optic nerve damage leading to vision loss - due to pressure build up from fluids on the optic nerve (irreversible)
Macular degeneration
age related and is a disease that gradually destroys sharp, central vision
define Otitis media
inflammation in middle ear
define thalamus
relay center for sensory impulses to cerebral cortex
basal ganglia
regulates movement
hypothalamus
regulates HR and BP
tonic clonic seizures
convulsions and jerking
Absent seizures
spacing out
myoclonic seizures
brief, sharp muscle twitches
atonic seizures
limp body
automatisms seizure
what labs are needed for a pt with a seizure
EEG
MRI or CT is a good lab for a pt with a seizure bc it rules out…
external factors like cancer, which help diagnose what type of seizure they are having
List 2 seizure medications
phenytoin - dilatin
leveteracitam - keppra.
Distinguish the difference between confusion, delerium and dimentia
confusion: state of not knowing what is going on
delirium: altered mental status, more serious form of confusion, quick onset, reversible with reorientation.
Dementia : irreversible, gradual onset, mental illness or condition. over time loosing memory and abilities to perform daily actions without help.
What are some causes (risk factors) to delirium?
Sleep deprivation
surgery
dehydration
alcohol withdrawal
pain
medications
infections
What are some causes (risk factors) to Dementia
family genetics
head trauma
medications
age
What are two common depression medications, list classes or both, signs and symptoms and what to monitor for
Seteraline (zoloft)
SSRI - balances serotonin in brain
side: Diarrhea, nausea, dizzy, dry mouth
severe: suicidal thoughts, hypoglycemia, arrhythmias, Erectile Dysfunction.
DO NOT take with MAO inhibitors.
Venlafaxine (Effexor)
SNRI - balances serotonin and norepinephrine in brain.
side: constipation, headache, dizzy, nausea
Severe: Suicidal, seizures, bleeding, arrhythmia.
What is the difference between Generalized and partial seizures
generalized involves the full brain
partial involves only sections (lobes)
What is a Tonic clonic seizure involve
Stiffness and convulsions
What does a myotonic seizure involve
twitching
What does a Atonic seizure involve
limpness, loss of motor control
What is the antidote for opioid medications
naloxone
What is Status epilepticus and what med is used for rescue
a seizure lasting longer than 5 min - MEDICAL EMERGENCY
Lorazepam (Ativan) is used as IV push rescue.
What is the antidote for Lorazepam (ativan)
Flumazenil
describe a focal seizure
unilateral rhythmic muscle movements
