Exam 3 -- Head Trauma and Infectious and Inflammatory Disease Flashcards
True or false: traumatic brain injuries are the leading cause of death in the US for people up to the age of 45.
True.
When a TBI occurs, there is axonal rupture from shear forces. What types of neurotransmitters are released in response?
Excitatory (glutamate, acetylcholine). This also leads to the generation of free radicals.
What rating scale, from 0 to 15, is used to rank a patient’s TBI symptoms and decide whether or not they need an ER visit?
Glasgow Coma Scale
What is the name for an area of cerebral bruising with localized edema?
Contusion. This is the most common finding of a TBI.
What factors can help in determining when to do CT imaging for a TBI?
Less than 15 Glasgow score Vomiting Over age 65 Amnesia for more than 30 minutes Seizures Anticoagulant use Alcohol use
Comparing subdural vs epidural hematomas, which is located between the skull and the dura?
Epidural
Comparing subdural vs epidural hematomas, which is located between the dura and the arachnoid?
Subdural
Comparing subdural vs epidural hematomas, which involves the venous blood supply?
Subdural
Comparing subdural vs epidural hematomas, which involves the arterial blood supply?
Epidural
Comparing subdural vs epidural hematomas, which has a more acute onset?
Epidural
Comparing subdural vs epidural hematomas, which has a slower onset?
Subdural
Comparing subdural vs epidural hematomas, which has a lenticular shape on a CT scan?
Epidural
Comparing subdural vs epidural hematomas, which has a lunar shape on a CT scan?
Subdural
Comparing subdural vs epidural hematomas, which has the worse prognosis?
Subdural
Which type of TBI is the most severe?
Diffuse axonal injury
True or false: damage due to diffuse axonal injury is not as bad as it looks on imaging.
False; it is worse than appears on imaging.
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy is when repeated concussions cause cumulative neurologic defects, including an increase in risk for Alzheimer’s.
Free card.
What is the survival rate of patients with bacterial meningitis?
25%
What is the most common cause of bacterial meningitis?
Strep. Pneumoniae
What clinical findings might a patient with bacterial meningitis have?
Fever, HA/altered mental status, and nuchal rigidity
If you performed a lumbar puncture on a patient with bacterial meningitis, what might you find?
Elevated opening pressure, elevated WBCs
How would you treat bacterial meningitis?
IV vancomyin with ceftriaxone
What are some viral causes of aspectic meningitis?
Enterovirus, herpes simplex, HIV, WNV, herpes zoster, mumps
What are some fungal causes of aspectic meningitis?
Hisoplasm, candida
What are some parasitic causes of aspectic meningitis?
Lyme
What are some non-infectious causes of aspectic meningitis?
Lupus
Encephalitis has more severe brain function abnormalities than meningitis.
Free card.
What is the cause of most cases of encephalitis?
Viral (usually herpes simplex)
True or false: encephalitis has a better survival rate than meningitis.
True.
