Module 4.6 Nervous System Conditions & Procedures Flashcards
Exam of a neuro compliant involves what
- detailed history of the complaint
- assess the pt’s mental status & memory
- cranial nerve testing
- muscle tone
- gait observation
- reflexes
- sensation
- coordination
Define dementia
- progressive deterioration of cognitive abilities & memories that impairs performance of ADL’s
- caused by Alzheimer’s dementia AD, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia, Parkinson’s Disease
- all causes are not reversible & no cure
- strongest risk factor is advancing age & chances increase with each decade
Define mini-mental state examination (MMSE)
- screening tool used to help with diagnosing dementia
- assesses pt’s memory, orientation, language comprehension, naming & copying
Sx of brain tumors
progression of a neurological deficit, seizures, or nonspecific neurological symptoms
such as headache dementia, personality change, or gait disorder
Define neuroma
tumor of nerve cells & nerve fibers
Define astrocytoma
- tumor of the brain that’s made up of astrocytes
- most common primary metastatic brain tumors
- difficult to surgically remove & respond poorly to radiation
Define oligodendroglioma
- malignant tumor of the nervous system
- can be more easily removed w/ surgery & better w/ chemo
Define meningioma
- benign tumor of the meninges
- cured by surgical removal
Define cerebrovascular accidents (CVA)
- occurs when blood flow to the brain is disrupted
- refers to strokes & aneurysms
Define stroke
- can be hemorrhagic or ischemic
Define hemorrhagic strokes
- occur when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures
Define ischemic strokes
- occur when blood clots block the flow of blood to the brain
- either an embolism or thrombosis
Define embolism
clot that travels to the brain from another area of the body
Define thrombosis
clot that develops in the cerebral artery
Define aneurysm
- a weakness in the blood vessel wall that is at risk for hemorrhage
- location & damage to the brain depends on the size of hemorrhage
Define infarct
- area of tissue damage or death due to lack of blood supply
“time is brain”: the longer the blockage the more permanent injury
TX: reestablish blood flow to the brain ASAP by stopping the hemorrhage, removing the blood clot, reliving the compression of the artery
Define seizure
episode where there is sudden, abnormal & excessive activity of the CNS leading to changes in attention and/or behavior that the pt is unable to control
Define multiple sclerosis MS
- chronic disease of the CNS caused by the immune system
- characterized4 by inflammation, demyelination, then scarring of the nerves
Define plaque
- damage to the myelin sheath
- develop in the neurons of the brain & spinal cord
- causes tremors, spasms, muscle weakness in the limbs, incoordination, paresthesia, visual & speech disturbances
Define Parkinson’s Disease
- where the nerve cells that control movement begin to deteriorate
- decreases amt of dopamine
Define dopamine
- neurotransmitter that carries nerve impulses from one neuron to another, in the brain
- associated w/ depression, cognitive impairment, dementia, sleep dysfunction
- meds used to increase amt of dopamine, control tremors, other physical sx
SX: tremor of the extremities at rest, bradykinesia, akinesia, rigid limbs, shuffling gait, stopped posture
Define deep brain stimulation
- surgical procedure used to treat sx of Parkinson’s Disease when meds are no longer effective
- surgically planted device that delivers electronic stimulation to areas os brain that control movement
