ILA stroke Flashcards
define amaurosis fugax
painless temporary loss of vision in both eyes, usually due to a thrombus, often described as a “curtain descending”
give some causes of raised intercranial pressure
excess CSF, bleeding, swelling in the brain, aneurysm, trauma, infections
what signs indicate a raised intercranial pressure?
headache, N&V, seizure, raised BP, Cushing’s triad, weakness, lethargy, blurred vision, changes in behaviour
why does blood pressure increase when ICP increases?
- pressure causes CSF, venous system, and arteries to be squashed -> cerebral perfusion pressure is not high enough to properly perfuse -> ischaemia
- arterial smooth muscle will vasoconstrict -> causes increase bp to try to re-perfuse the brain
- stress on baroreceptors aorta from bp increase -> causes bradycardia to counteract
define autonomy
The right of competent adults to make informed decisions about their care, patient does not have capacity so would act in their best interests
define beneficence
To act in the best interest of the patient, would they want to be alive but have significant co-morbidities, would they rather survive
define justice
Whether the resources used to resuscitate the patient and keep them alive is worth it for the benefit of the patient, especially as the patient is old
define non-maleficence
Whether the patient would be harmed more if they are resuscitated, or if they can survive well if they are resuscitated
what is the definition of a TIA?
a temporary disruption of blood supply in brain leading to stroke like symptoms
which arrhythmia is known to commonly cause a stroke?
atrial fibrillation
what makes up Cushing’s triad?
decreased heart rate, irregular respiration, widened pulse pressure
when does the brain no longer receive enough O2?
when ICP > MAP
what is the treatment for raised ICP?
IV mannitol, hyperventilation, elevation of head
