HPI and PE Flashcards
without sensation, a temporary state consisting of unconsciousness, loss of memory, lack of pain, and muscle relaxation
anesthesia
sensation of tingling, tickling, pricking, or burning of a person’s skin with no apparent long-term physical effect. May be transient or chronic
Paresthesia
sensation that exactly resembles that of smallinsectscrawling on (or under) the skin
Formication
Absence of neurologic reflexes such as the knee jerk reaction
Areflexia
Muscular spasms involving repeated, often rhythmic contractions
Clonus
Liver flaps
hold up hands like you’re stopping traffic and then push back on palms
if pt’s hands start flapping, it signals liver encephalopathy
Loss of smell
Anosmia
an overwhelming fear that you have a serious disease, even though health care providers can find no evidence of illness
Hypochondriasis
sudden death of brain tissue due to lack of oxygen and blood flow to the brain
Cerebrovascular accident (CVA)
MC CVA type
ischemic (~10x more common than hemorrhagic)
A “mini-stroke”, producing similar symptoms, but usually lasting only a few minutes to < 24 hours, causing no permanent damage
Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
CVA and TIA link
1 in 3 people who have a TIA will eventually have a stroke, with about half occurring within a year after the transient ischemic attack
Difficulty with gait or balance
Ataxia
Double vision
Diplopia
Difficulty forming words
Dysarthria
Recovery period following seizure activity
Postictal
A perception of movement – usually spinning or whirling
Vertigo
Lightheadedness, feeling faint or nearly passing out. Not a sensation of environment or surroundings swirling or moving
Dizziness
Difference of >0.4 mm in the diameter of one pupil compared to the other
Seen in up to 38% of healthy individuals
Anisocoria
Type of tremor that occurs when muscles are relaxed
Mostly hands and fingers
Parkinson’s Disease “pill-rolling”
resting (essential) tremors
Intentional tremor:
purposeful movement toward a target
Common Action Tremor
If suspecting CNS involvement, consider…
- Cerebral cortex
- Basal ganglia
- Brainstem
- Cerebellum
- Spinal cord
If suspecting PNS involvement, consider…
- motor nerves
- sensory nerves
- neuromuscular junction
Timing of appearance…
Rapid onset usually indicates:
vascular event
seizure
migraine
Timing of appearance…
Slower onset usually indicates:
ischemic process rather than hemorrhagic
Timing of appearance…
Slower progressive symptoms usually indicates:
toxic
metabolic
infectious
inflammatory process
