Nervous System Disorders Flashcards
Inhibit neural pathways. Local anesthetic capable of inhibiting impulse pathways.
Therapeutic nerve blocks
Instituted for those who suffer from chronic headaches. Acquired skill to control bodily functions: HR, BP. Teaching sessions are needed.
Biofeedback
What neuron recovers first?
Motor recovers sooner than sensation
This block is considered a regional anesthesia because the nerve block occurs distal to where the med is administered.
Nerve block
What medication is used for a nerve block?
Lidocaine benzopine
What contains side effects of dysrythmias, tachycardia, confusion, tinnitus, blurred vision, N/V, or metallic taste.
Nerve block
A permanent change or destruction of nerve fibers.
Neuroablation
Permanent destruction from administration of a chemical agent
Chemical ablation
Radio frequency (heat) to nerve to cause destruction
Thermal ablation
Surgical ablation of a nerve route
Rhizotomies
Extreme cold to nerves to cause destruction
Cryoablation
Severing of the spinothalamic tract
Cordotomies
Severing at the level of the brain stem
Tractotomies
Severing of only sensory fibers. Motor should still be intact.
Dorsal route
Produced by a better powered implant when it sends electrical impulses it blocks nerve pathways
Electrical stimulation
Implant into the chest wall for the spinal cord and vagal nerve (rarely used for pain, but used for Parkinson’s)
Deep brain stimulation
Standard with chronic low back pain
Spinal cord stimulation
Electrodes are wrapped around the vagal nerve used for treating seizures with varying frequencies and strengths to the vagus nerve
Vagal nerve stimulation
Where do most inflammatory conditions of the nervous system begin?
In the bloodstream
Acute inflammation of the meninges and infection of CSF and arachnoid Mater
Meningitis
Meningitis is usually associated with what disease?
Upper respiratory infection
What are the causes of meningitis?
Viral, bacterial, fungal, and Protozoa
What causes a thickened viscosity of the CSF fluid?
When proteins spills because the blood brain barrier is no longer intact
Why does less glucose pass?
When the blood brain barrier is damaged glucose levels decrease
This type of meningitis caused purulent secretions
Bacterial
What pathogen cause streptococcal meningitis?
Hemophilius influenza
What is the percentage of cases of streptococcal pneumonia/neisseria menigitides
80%
The mortality rate is
25% treated and 100% untreated
What is the first sign of bacteria meningitis?
Severe HA
What are the signs and symptoms of bacteria meningitis?
HA N/V Fever Stiff neck Skin rash/petechiae
What is nuchal rigidity?
Stiff neck
Flexion of the neck; knees automatically flex
Positive brudzinskis sign
Lying down and hips flexed and cannot extend the knee
Positive kernig
What is a common complication of bacterial meningitis?
IICP
What cranial nerves are involved with IICP?
2,3,4,6,8
1/3 of the patients with bacterial meningitis will have?
Seizures
What is a common cranial nerve issue with bacterial meningitis?
Photophobia
What Could be a permanent complication of bacterial meningitis?
Deafness
A pathological process caused by numerous small clots (countless amounts)
DIC- disseminated intravascular coagulation
How is bacterial meningitis diagnosed?
C&S (blood, sputum, nasal)
Imaging (X-ray, CT, or MRI)
Lumbar Puncture (DEFINITIVE TOOL)
How is bacterial meningitis treated?
Broad spectrum antibiotics until the pathogen is identified. Given in large, rapid doses of IV and PO.
What is Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome?
Severe vascular dysfunction
Why is decadron used?
It decreases cerebral edema. It also reduces mortality rate and hearing loss.
What precautions will a bacterial meningitis patient be on?
Droplet precautions
Meningococcal meningitis is
HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS
What is key in bacterial meningitis?
Prevention
What is critical to manage with a patient positive for bacterial meningitis due to increased risk of seizures?
Fever
What is viral meningitis usually caused by?
Measles, mumps, herpes, HIV
This disease is not as severe as bacterial meningitis and usually resolves within
2 weeks
What is different about viral and bacterial meningitis?
Viral doesn’t have purulent secretions and may have a normal or low glucose level.
How is viral meningitis diagnosed?
CSF sample (clear or cloudy)
PCR (blood test)
Stains and grams (negative for organisms)
What is the treatment for viral meningitis?
Treat symptoms only
Acute inflammation of the brain usually caused by a virus
Encephalitis
Mosquitoes and ticks can transmit the virus to a human via an insect bite
Encephalitis
The onset of encephalitis is
2-3 days
Encephalitis is a mild to severe manifestation that has what type of symptoms?
Flu-like symptoms
Encephalitis needs to be diagnosed when to have a favorable outcome?
Early
How is encephalitis treated?
Acyclovir (antivirals) and decadron
What else is treated with encephalitis?
Symptoms
Localized collections of pus within the brain tissue
Brain abscess
The infection is usually by a direct extension by
The ear, mastoid, tooth, and sinuses
Trauma or neurosurgery including tongue piercing and chipped teeth can cause
Brain abscess
Brain abscesses can be because of the bloodstream and septic emboli because it
Travels to the CNS from somewhere else
What organisms are usually associated with brain abscesses?
Streptococci
Staph aureus
What side of the brain does the abscess occur on?
The same side as the primary infection
Liquid necrotic tissue is encapsulated in a thick fibrous wall within
2 weeks
What are the systemic signs and symptoms of brain abscess
HA Fever Chills N/V Malaise
How does the brain abscess affect the temporal lobe?
Visual changes and receptive aphasia