Neuro Flashcards
What happens to the msls during the tonic phase?
stiffen
What is a complex partial seizure?
starts in one area of the brain and the person is not aware of surroundings; loses consciousness.
Secondary causes of seizures?
- Underlying brain lesion (tumor or trauma)
- Metabolic disorders
- Acute alcohol withdrawal
- Electrolyte disturbances usually when Na+ is too low.
- High fever
- Stroke
- Head injury
- Substance abuse
- Heart disease
How is a thrombotic stroke characterized?
- typically no decreased LOC within the first 24hrs.
- sx get progressively worse as the infarction and edema increase.
What is our priority with tonic clonic seizures?
Safety
Interventions for Bell’s palsy?
encourage facial exercises, protect eyes from dryness and prevent injury, instruct to chew on unaffected side.
What are some triggers of migraine HA?
stress, foods, anxiety, fatigue, sleep deprivation, depression, hormone fluctuations associated w/ menstrual cycles and contraceptive use,
What is epilepsy?
chronic disorder diagnosed after having 2 or more unprovoked seizures.
What is an atonic (akinetic, drop attacks) seizure?
causes sudden loss of muscle strength. Person usually remains conscious. May fall from seizure.
How is an embolic stroke characterized?
- sudden severe sx
- warning signs are less common
- remains conscious and may have HA
Primary cause of seizures?
Genetics
Why should a pt drink more fluids after a SPECT scan?
to help flush the tracer over the next few days. Most of it leaves the body through urine.
What is a partial/focal/simple seizure?
only small area of the brain is affected; remains conscious and may report an aura.
When can permanent disability be determined after a stroke?
When cerebral edema subsides
Bell’s palsy most often occurs in who?
pregnant women, diabetes, influenza, cold, or other URI.
Patient education the night before having EEG?
- Do not use conditioner, hairspray, or gels.
- Discontinue using meds that may interfere with the test if confirmed by doc.
- Avoid consuming any food or drinks containing caffeine 8-12 hrs before test.
- Reduce sleep night before, as directed.
- Avoid fasting
What is a myoclonus? * clinical sign
sudden, brief involuntary twitching or jerking of a muscle or group of muscles. Twitching cannot be stopped or controlled. May fall from the seizure.
What medications may be used to treat severe migraines?
- Triptan preparations (zolmitriptan sumatriptan, eletriptan).
- Ergotamine preparations w/ caffeine (dihydroergotamine)
- Isometheptene in combination formulations when other medications don’t work
Intervention after the completion of seizure?
- Take the patient’s vital signs.
- Perform neurologic checks.
- Keep the patient on his or her side.
- Allow the patient to rest.
What is abortive therapy?
used to alleviate pain during aura or soon after start of HA
What is our priority for migraine/HA patients?
pain management
What is a SPECT scan?
scans the function of some internal organs.
Sx associated with a migraine HA?
N/V, photophobia, phonophobia, unilateral pain often behind one eye or ear.
What is Huntington’s disease?
hereditary disease of the nervous system which causes increasing dementia, bizarre involuntary movements, and abnormal posture.
What is status epilepticus?
a medical emergency; a prolonged seizure lasting longer than 5 minutes or repeated seizures over the course of 30 minutes.
What type of stroke accounts for 87% of all strokes?
ischemic (embolic)
T/F. PET/SPECT scans involve radioactive injections?
True, but they use different ones
What is Bell’s palsy?
Paralysis of 1 side of the face which begins suddenly and worsens over 48 hours. Caused by damage to CN VII.
PET scan is also used to diagnose what other conditions?
Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, epilepsy, and CVA
What medications may be use for mild migraines?
NSAIDs, Tylenol, and other OTCs
Drugs of choice for status epilepticus?
IV push lorazepam or diazepam; diazepam rectal gel
If the client is having a seizure what is a priority intervention?
Maintain a patent airway
Diagnostics for seizures?
EEG, CT, MRI, SEPCT/PET
What is the order in which function may return after a stroke?
facial, swallowing, lower limbs, speech, and arms.
How is a hemorrhagic stroke characterized?
sudden onset, symptoms progress over minutes to hours d/t ongoing bleeding.
What happens to the msls during the clonic phase?
begin to jerk rapidly and rhythmically
What is the most common cause of hemorrhagic stroke?
Uncontrolled HTN
What is the most common use of PET scans?
the detection of cancer and the evaluation of cancer tx
Environmental considerations when tx migraine?
cool, dark, quiet
During acute phase of stroke how should the patient be positioned?
Side with head of bed elevated 15-30 degrees to prevent aspiration
