Neuro Flashcards
what is an electroencephalogram (EEG) used for?
to determine electrical activity of the brain to check for brain and seizure disorders
what is an electromyography (EMG) used for?
assess muscles and motor neurons for dysfunction
what is a lumbar puncture used for?
collecting cerebrospinal fluid
7 concerning neurologic symptoms
HAs
dizziness
weakness
change in sensation
loss of consciousness/syncope
seizures
tremors/involuntary movements
what does MS stand for?
multiple sclerosis
what does PD stand for?
parkinson’s disease
what does RLS stand for?
restless leg syndrome
what does CSF stand for?
cerebrospinal fluid
what does LP stand for?
lumbar puncture
what does ICP stand for?
intracranial pressure
what does TIA stand for?
transient ischemic attack
what does CVA stand for?
cerebrovascular accident
what does AAO x3 stand for?
alert, awake, and oriented to person, place and time
define diplopia
double vision
define ataxia
gait that lacks coordination
define atrophy
loss of muscle bulk
define chorea
movements that are brief, rapid, and unpredictable
define thrombus
blood clot on the wall of a blood vessel or in the heart
define embolus
piece of a blood clot that travels and becomes stuck in a blood vessel
define infarction
injury or death of tissue caused by inadequate blood supply
define hemorrhage
rupture of a blood vessel
define near syncope or presyncope
no loss of consciousness
define true syncope
complete loss of consciousness
what is a transient ischemic attack?
a ministroke
define an ischemic stroke
when a blood clot blocks blood flow in an artery within the brain
define a hemorrhagic stroke
when a blood vessel bursts within the brain
what are the stroke warning signs and symptoms (BEFAST)
balance
eyes: blurred vision
face: one side drooping
arm or leg weakness
speech difficulty
time to call an ambulance
what are risk factors for stroke?
age over 55
gender (female at higher risk due to longer lifespan)
race and ethnicity
genetics
prior TIA or stroke
what are physical exams used to diagnose meningitis?
nuchal rigidity, kernig’s sign, and brudzinski’s sign
define epilepsy
two or more unprovoked seizures less than 24 hours apart
or
single unprovoked seizure and high risk of recurrence over the next 10 years
or
diagnosis of an epilepsy syndrome
what are motor symptoms of a focal onset seizure?
jerking (clonic), limp or weak muscles (atonic), tense or rigid msucles (tonic), brief muscle twitching (myoclonus), or epileptic spams
what is the physiology of a focal onset seizure?
occurs in one hemisphere of the brain
what is the physiology of generalized onset seizures?
affects both sides of the brain
what are motor symptoms of generalized onset seizures?
same as focal
what are non-motor symptoms of generalized onset seizures?
absence seizure - staring spells
absence seizure with twitching of specific body part or eyelids
define status epilepticus
5 minutes or more of a continuous seizure or 2 or more distinct seizures without complete recovery of consciousness between the seizures
what is the first aid you can provide during a seizure?
STAY with them until they are awake and alert
keep them SAFE
turn them on their SIDE
when should you call 911 with someone having a seizure?
-if its longer than 5 minutes
-they don’t return to normal
-they are injured, pregnancy or sick
-first time seizure
-difficulty breathing
-occurs in water
define parkinsonism
shuffling gait, expressionless face, tremor or rigidity
define dystonia
muscle rigidity, spasms, eye movements
define tardive dyskinesia
tongue protrudes involuntary, or puckering, chewing, grimacing
define akathisia
can’t sit still, stand up and sit down ,pace
define trigeminal neuralgia
chronic pain in face triggered by washing, shaving, chewing, or brushing teeth
what is postherpetic neuralgia?
a complication of shingles. pain that lasts 3 months after rash/blisters disappear
