Neuro Flashcards
What are the red flag/warning signs for neuro?
-“thunderclap” headache: age 50, “worst HA of my life> subarachnoid hemorrhage
-atypical presentation of patients unusual headache> stroke
-fever, stiff neck, > meningitis
-exacerbated by sneezing, coughing, tumor
What is vertigo?
a “spinning sensation”
Vestibular disease from peripheral causes in inner ear
-Labyrinthitis, Meniere’s Disease, benign positional vertigo
What are vertigo associated sx?
double vision, problems with gait/balance
What are the causes of transient loc?
-neurocardiogenic or vasovagal syncope
-orthostatic hypertension
-cardiac disease ( v tach, sinus brady)
-stroke
-subarachnoid hemorrhage
What are the 5 components of the mental status exam?
- appearance and behavior
- speech and language
- mood
- thoughts and perceptions
- cognitive function
How do you escalate the stimulus in a patient that is not awake and alert?
speak to the patient by name and in a loud voice
shake patient gently
Define alert
opens eyes, looks at you, responds fully and appropriatley to stimulu
Lethargy
Speak to the patient in a loud voice
Will appear drowsy, but will open eyes, look at you, respond to questions then fall back to sleep
Obtunded
Shake the patient gently
Opens eyes, looks at you, but responds slowly and is somewhat confused.
Stupor
Apply painful stimuli
Arouses only after painful stimuli, verbal responses slow or absent, lapse into states when stimuli ceases
Coma
Apply repeated painful stimuli
Remains unarousable with eyes closed
Dysarthria
defective articulation (slurring)
Aphasia
disorder of pronouncing or understanding speech
Broca’s (expressive) Aphasia
Nonfluent, slow, few words, laborious effort. Inflection, articulation impaired.
post inferior frontal lobe
Wernicke’s (receptive) Aphasia
Fluent, rapid, voluble, effortless. Inflection, tone good; lack meaning
W=WORDS
post sup temporal lobe
How do you test for aphasia?
Word comprehension (point to your nose)
Repetition (repeat after me…)
Naming (ask pt to name objects)
Reading comprehension (read paragraph out loud)
Writing (write a sentence)
Fluency
Rate, flow, melody of speech and the content and use of words
Paraphasias
: malformed “I write with a den”, wrong “I write with a bar”, or invented “ I write with a dar”
In major depressive episode, at least 5 of the symptoms (including one of the first two) must be present in the _________. The patient must present _______ change in persons behavior.
same two week period. acute
What characterizes a major depressive episode?
- *Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day
- *Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in almost all activities most of the day, nearly every day
- Significant weight gain/loss
- Insomnia/hypersomnia
- Psychomotor agitation or retardation
In a manic episode, a distinct period of abnormality and persistently elevated, expansive or irritable mood must be present for at least ______. During that one week, _____ symptoms msut be demonstrated persistently
one week, 3
What characterizes a manic episode?
- Inflated self esteem or grandiosity
- Decreased need for sleep
- More talkative than usual/pressure to keep talking
- Flight of ideas/racing thoughts
- Distractibility
- Increased goal directed activity (professionally, socially, scholastically, sexually…)
- Excessive involvement in pleasurable high risk activities (shopping sprees, foolish business ventures, sexual indiscretions)
A mixed episode meets criteria of both ________ and _____ episodes. These must last at least ______ week.
major depressive, manic
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