Medical Issues Ch. 11 Flashcards
S/S of neurological pathology
syncope coma paresthesia abnormal motor control, coordination, or tone headache changes in senses changes in mental status
types of paresthesia
numbness -anesthesia burning and tingling hyperesthesia hypoesthesia
abnormal motor control, coordination, or tone types
diminished deep tendon reflexes
muscle weakness
tremors
atrophy
ALS
-cause
-S/S
Tx
fatal, progressive neurological disease that slowly attacks neurons responsible for voluntary muscle actions
S/S
-tired or clumsy, often begin in one limb, difficulty with swallowing and speech
-may be spasticity or hyperflexia
-weight loss
Tx
-can be treated with drugs but is not curable
Bell’s Palsy
disease typically affects CN 7 S/S -bilateral or unilateral facial weakness Tx -corticoseroids
epilepsy
> 2 seizures in lifetime
caused by abnormal activity in brain
Tx
-combo of medicine or surgery
multiple sclerosis
neurodegerative lifelong chronic disease
-can lead to permanent disability in affected nerves
S/S
-problems w/ balance and coordination
-spasticity and fatigue, visual problems, dizziness, pain, numbness, bladder + bowel dysfunction
-cognitive and emotional changes
Tx
-relapsing + progressing symptom management w/ medication
vascular headache
caused by spasms of the vellels surrounding the brain
include migraines
S/S: rapid onset, unilateral throbbing pain in frontal or temporal area
-start in morning and peak 2 hrs later (migraine)
-begins with aura and accompanied w/ increased sensitivity to light/sound (migraine)
migraine
type of vascular headache that may present w/ or w/o neurological symptoms
stroke (CVA)
lack of oxygen to the brain - may lead to reversible or irreversible paralysis and other damage
S/S
-numbness or weakness on one side of the body
-confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
-headache, dizziness
Tx
-acute: designed to reverse or lessened the amount of tissue death
-rehab to improve function so that the stroke survivor can continue an independent lifestyle
GBS (Guillain-Barre)
acute demyelinating disorder of the spinal roots and peripheral nerves
S/S
-progressive weakness distal to proximal pain in movement of the affected area and nocturnal muscle cramps
Tx
-no cure
-rehab to make things better and lessen severity of symptoms
bacterial and viral miningitis
inflammation of the meninges by bacteria or viruses
medical history of a neurological exam
family and personal history
-neurological diseases with genetic factors
inspection during a neurological exam
selective atrophy tremors gait changes gross movement changes posturing
posturing type
decorticate rigitidy
decerebrate rigidity
docorticate rigidity
indication of cerebral cortex damage
arms in flexion, legs in extension
decerebrate rigidity
indication of cerebellum damage
arms and legs in extension
sensation
generally unnecessary to test the entire body
focus on symptomatic area
bilateral comparison
dermatomes: an area of skin supplied by a particular spinal nerve
test over skin whenever possible
motor function
myotomes
-group of muscles innervated by nerve fibers from a nerve root
compare strength bilaterally
meningeal irritation
meninges can become inflames
- meningitis
- vertebral disc pathology
- any pathology causing inflammation in the spinal canal
meningeal irritation tests
kernig test -patient in supine -passively raising one leg at a time -keep knee fully extended -raise leg until symptoms are felt -flex knee to relieve symptoms -dorsiflex foot -if dorsiflexion recreates symptoms, meningeal irritation is present Brudzinski Test -perform the above test with neck passively or actively flexed
cranial nerves
status of the medulla oblongata
any sign of impairment = urgent referral
balance testing
rhomberg test
have patient stand with eyes closed, feet together and arms crossed across chest
look for any swaying or balance correction
