Neuro Flashcards
Which of the following is a potential cause of seizure?
a) Hyperthyroidism
b) Hypercholesterolaemia
c) Hyponatraemia
d) Hyperkalaemia
Hyponatraemia
Parkinson’s disease is because of a reduction in which neurotransmitter?
a) Dopamine
b) Acetylcholine
c) Serotonin
d) Glutamate
a) Dopamine
Electrical discharge affecting the whole brain is known as a:
a) Simple Focal Seizure
b) Complex Focal Seizure
c) Myoclonic Seizure
d) Tonic-Clonic Seizure
d) Tonic-Clonic Seizure
Which of the following are patients with early-stage Vascular Dementia likely to experience?
a) Emotional blunting
b) No change in personality
c) Difficulties with speech
d) Memory loss
c) Difficulties with speech
What type of seizure is described below?
Erratic electrical activity occurs in a specific area of the brain and does not spread; consciousness becomes impaired
a) Complex focal seizure
b) Simple focal seizure
c) Myoclonic seizure
d) None of the above
a) Complex focal seizure
Symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are caused by the degeneration of which part of the brain?
a) Amygdala
b) Motor cortex
c) Basal ganglia
d) Cerebral cortex
c) Basal ganglia
Which of the following pathophysiological changes do NOT occur in Alzheimer’s dementia?
a) Tau proteins
b) Amyloid plaques
c) Neurofibrillary tangle
d) Ischemic damage
d) Ischemic damage
What term is applied to seizure activity that has a physical or medical cause, such as electrolyte imbalance or hypoglycaemia?
a) Status Epilepticus
b) Dissociative Seizure
c) Organic Seizure
d) Myoclonic Seizure
c) Organic Seizure
Erratic electrical activity which remains only in a localised part of the brain; but is associated with a loss of consciousness, but with no other symptoms is known as a:
(1 Mark)
a) Simple Focal Seizure
b) Complex Focal Seizure
c) Myoclonic Seizure
d) Tonic-Clonic Seizure
b) Complex Focal Seizure
Which of the following actions can be taken as a measure to reduce the risk of vascular dementia?
Reduce screen time
Regular annual leave
Better sleep hygiene
Stop Smoking
Stop Smoking
Discuss the immediate management required for caring for an adult or child experiencing a seizure. (4 Marks)
- Note down the time seizure starts
-Time the seizure - Keep airway open
- Reduce changes of brain damage/ hitting head eg. lower hospital bed, place sides up and place padding such as pillows
- Loosen clothing
- Protect patients privacy
“Reducing a child’s fever will stop a febrile convulsion”. Discuss the accuracy of this statement.
(4 Marks)
A febrile convulsion is linked to a high fever
Most high fevers are caused by infections
So reducing the temp might not stop the infection and therefore a child might keep spiking temps
Reducing temp might help calm the child
Describe the possible Social/ Psychosocial implication of seizures
Reducing exposure to a stimulus
Mental health issues with chronic conditions
Stigma of epilepsy
The stigma around epilepsy contributes to mental health difficulties such as anxiety and depression, especially if the epilepsy Is chronic
Describe two possible social implications of seizures
(2 Marks)
The stigma around epilepsy contributes to mental health difficulties such as anxiety and depression, especially if the epilepsy Is chronic
Explain strokes, how they occur and the risk factors.
Sudden interruption of blood supply to the brain:
Risk factors
* Hypertension
* Atherosclerosis
* Diabetes
* Obesity
* Stress
* Family history
* Older age
* Male gender
What is the management of a stroke?
F-A-S-T test
Management
* Stop the bleeding
* Prevent an increase in intracranial pressure
* Elevate head to decrease intracranial pressure
* Assist with communication skills
* Liquid diet
What are the differences between ischaemic strokes and haemorrhagic strokes?
Ischaemic (blockage in the brain) stroke:
- Thrombotic: a blood clot forms on the artery wall and blocks blood flow the brain
- Embolism: A blood clot has left part of the body and blocks the brain
- Leads to ischemia and increased intracranial pressure
Haemorrhagic (bleeding in the brain) stroke:
- Ruptured artery
- Aneurysm (weakening of the vessel)
- Uncontrolled hypertension
- Leads to ischemia (blood flow is cut off) Collection of blood in the brain
What is Parkinson’s disease? Relate the signs and symptoms to the pathophysiology.
S&S
* Tremor
* Rigidity
* Hypokinesia
Caused by a reduction in dopamine
Basal ganglia in the brain affected
What is dementia/patho? what are the behavioural and psychological impacts? Risk factors?
Patho:
Brain lesions (abnormal tissue) in the amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Tau protein build up = bad
Behavioural and psychological impacts
* Memory loss
* Communication difficulties
Risk
* Family history
* Age
what is a seizure?
Abnormal and sudden electrical activity of the brain
Epilepsy: Chronic seizure activity due to a chronic condition
What are the causes of seizures?
- High fever (Febrile seizure in child)
- CNS infection
- Drug or alcohol withdrawl
- ABG imbalance
- Hypoxia
- Brain tumour
- Hypoglycaemia
- Head injury
- Hypertension
What are the different types of dementia?
- Degenerative eg. Alzheimer’s disease
- Vascular (damage to the blood supply to the brain – can’t concentrate)
- Metabolic
- Toxic
- Vitamin deficiency
- Infectious
- Endocrine
- Psychiatric
Explain partial seizures
Partial (focal) – one area of the brain is affected
* Simple
Sensory symptoms with motor symptoms and stays aware
* Complex
Altered behaviour/awareness and loss of consciousness for a few seconds
Explain generalised seizures
Generalised (the entire brain is affected)
* Absence
Usually looks like a blank stare that lasts seconds. Often goes unnoticed
* Myoclonic
Sudden jerking or stiffening of the extremities (arms and legs)
* Tonic-clonic
Electric discharge affects the whole brain. Stiffening (tonic) and rigid (clonic) of the muscles
* Atonic
Sudden loss of muscle tone. This may lead to sudden falls or dropping things
