Med surg III Neuro Flashcards
autonomic dysreflexia
develops in spinal cord injuries, life threatening, acute, uncontrolled hypertension, sudden and severe headache, bradycardia
aphasia
can’t communicate, express or understand language, written and verbal…typically occurs after stroke or brain injury
aphagia
inability to swallow
apraxia
inability to perform tasks (typically speech) or movements when asked, even though they can understand the request, are willing to do it, the muscles needed to do it are functioning, and it is something that they could do before. Usually result of stroke or brain injury
ataxia
uncoordinated movement, jerky, unsteady gait or to and fro motion of the middle of the body
anopsia
suppression of vision in one area only
diplopia
double vision
agnosia
loss of ability to detect sensory stimuli, such as sounds or images (can be auditory, gustatory, olfactory, tactile, and visual) inability to use an object correctly
dysphagia
difficulty swallowing
endocarderectomy
surgical removal of plaque from an artery that has become narrowed or blocked
Kernig’s sign
indicates the presence of meningitis…patient can’t extend the leg at the knee when the thigh is flexed because of stiffness in the hamstrings (back pain and resistance to straightening is a positive Kernig’s sign)
postictal
recovery period after a seizure (mimics a stroke)
trigeminal neuraglia
chronic pain condition that affects the trigeminal nerve, which carries sensation from your face to your brain.
Glasgow Coma Scale
used to describe the level of consciousness and cognition, measures eye opening, verbal response, and motor response
Right-sided stroke symptoms
often unaware of any deficits, may be disoriented to time and place, personality changes such as poor impulse control and poor judgement, impaired sense of humor, constant smiling, some hearing loss
Left-sided stroke symptoms
speech, language, and writing deficits, memory deficits
hemiparesis
weakness on one side of the body
hemiplegia
paralysis on one side of the body
when is patient with head injury at risk for increased ICP
hours or a few days after the event
drug most commonly used to treat ICP
mannitol, an osmotic diuretic. most effective when given in boluses rather than continuous infusion
drug used as adjunct therapy for ICP
furosemide, a loop diuretic, to reduce the incidence of rebound from mannitol
goal level for ICP
less than 20 mm Hg
goal level for CPP
above 70 mm Hg
which patients should not receive mannitol
acute kidney injury patients
Cushing’s triad
late sign of ^ ICP (systolic hypertension, bradycardia, and irregular respirations). often signifies irreversible damage
what can result from a tumor in cerebellum
falls, because this controls posture and space
what can result from stroke affecting frontal lobes
can change a person’s behavior/personality
most common adverse effect of lumbar puncture
Headache, lie flat for 1 - 2 hours after procedure, quiet and dark room, analgesics for pain
irregular breathing pattern is associated with damage to?
brain stem
signs and symptoms of ^ICP
Change in LOC, slow, irregular respirations, ^ BP, decreased pulse
positioning of patient with ^ ICP
neutral position, head midline in stable position, do not leave patient on their side, elevate HOB
Romberg test
inability of patient to maintain body balance when eyes are shut and feet are close together (positive if pt sways and falls)
why do you need to check glucose
hypoglycemia mimics stroke
Central nervous system is?
Brain and spinal cord
Frontal lobes control?
Personality, behavior, higher intellectual functions
Parietal lobe controls?
Recognition of sizes, shapes, voluntary movement
Temporal lobe controls?
Senses, spoken word
Occipital lobe controls?
Vision, understanding what you are seeing
What are the neurotransmitters?
Acetylcholine, dopamine, serotonin, epinephrine
Purpose of CSf?
Provide cushion
Hypothalamus controls?
Metabolism, growth, sexual maturity, body temp, rate, blood pressure, sleep
Thalamus controls?
Emotional responses
Cerebellum controls?
Posture, space-prevents falls
