Neuro Flashcards
Cranial Nerves - 12
I. Olfactory II. Optic III. Oculomotor IV. Trochlear V. Trigeminal VI. Abducens VII. Facial VIII. Acoustic IX. Glossopharyngeal X. Vagus XI. Spinal Accessory XII. Hypoglossal
Hypoglossal CN
XII - tongue movement - motor ; stick out tongue; weakness ? - tongue goes to stronger side
Spinal accessory
sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscle control - neck strength and shoulder shrug (against resistance) - motor ;
Glossopharyngeal + Vagus
gag, swallow, and cough reflexes; voice quality; vagal parasympathetic response - both
Acoustic
hearing and balance - sensory ; test by whispering
Facial CN
VII - anterior taste buds + facial muscles - both
Trigeminal
motor function of temporal and jaw muscles ; sensory on face - both
Oculomotor + Tronchlear + Abducens
ocular muscle movement - motor - PEARLA
Optic
visual acuity - sensory ; Snellen chart
Olfactory
smell - sensory
CNS consists of …
- Brain - cerebrum, cerebellum, brain stem 2. Spinal cord
PNS consists of …
- 31 pairs of spinal nerves 2. 12 pairs of cranial 3. Autonomic NS
Autonomic NS consists of …
- Sympathetic NS - speeds ; anticholinergic 2. Parasympathetic NS - slows; cholinergic - responsible for involuntary movement of smooth muscles present in GI tract, urinary tract and lungs
Flexed arms, extended legs, plantar flexion, internal rotation of limbs and feet - “toward the cord” - affecting cortical area of brain
Decorticate posturing
Extended arms and legs, plantar flexion, external rotations of limbs and feet; dysfunction in the brainstem area
Decerebrate posturing
No motor function or response
Flaccid
White fiber tracts that connect the neurons in the brain and spinal cord ; only one … attached to each neuron ( can extend down the entire spinal cord)
Axon
A white, lipid covering many axons; white matter; … axons have gaps called nodes of Ranvier - play a major role in impulse conduction
Myelin sheath
Autoimmune disease; characterized by inflammatory response that results in diffuse random or patchy areas of plaque in the white matter of the CNS - myelin sheath is damaged (demyelinated) - impulses still transmitted but not as effective; over time can become completely blocked.
Multiple Sclerosis - pathophysiology
MS: Classification
- Benign MS - 1-2 attacks - complete recovery 2. Relapsing Remitting MS - most common - relapses with partial or full recovery - no progression between attacks 3. Secondary Progressive MS - follows RRMS in 50 % - progressive disability 4. Primary Progressive MS - steady slow progression ; uncommon; little tx available 5. Progressive Relapsing MS - progressive + flare ups ; rare
MS: 1.axons of the nerve remains intact - … 2. both myelin and axon are destroyed - …
- Pt. will regain all function and sensation during remission 2. Permanent loss of motor and sensory function
MS: Etiology
- Autoimmune - following stress 2. Viral 3. Familial tendency 4. Cold climates 5. Females - 15-50 (20-40)
MS: S/s
- Visual disturbances 2. Internuclear opthalmoplegia - abducting eye ( to the side) - nystagmus 3. Sensory sensations - tingling, numbness… 4. Unusual clumsiness, extremity weakness, leg dragging … 5. All symptoms intensified by hyperthermia 6. Lhermitte’s sign - flex neck - electrical sensation - down the back - into legs
MS: Visual problems
- Nystagmus - involuntary rapid eye movement 2. Diplopia - double vision 3. Blurry vision 4. Scotoma - patchy blindness
MS: TX - medications
- Corticosteroids - exacerbation 2. Immunomodulators - for life to slow or stop 3. immunosuppresant agent
Immunosuppresant agent; tx of MS; anticancer; lifetime limit of 8-12 doses - or cardiac damage occurs; shuts down part of immune system causing MS.
Mitoxantrone hydrochloride ( Novantrone)
- Avonex 2. Betaseron 3. Copaxone
Immunomodulators - tx of relapsing-remitting MS ; remission therapy
- drug of choice; IM/weekly
- sub-q daily or 3x’s weekly SE: flue like S/s - decrease in 3 mo; nightmares
- acts like decoy; subcut/daily ; SE: skin decubiti; chest pain (like MI)
Bethanechol (Urecholine)
Cholinergic agent - parasympathomimetic ; MS: treat flaccid bladder; neurologic bladder (incontinence)
Oxybutynin Chloride (Ditropan)
Anticholinergic (cholinergic blocker; parasympathetic depressant) - tx spastic bladder - MS
- Baclofen 2. Flexeril 3. Robaxin 4. Zanaflex
CNS depressant; sympathetic depressant; treat muscle spasticity + spasms
Dandrolene (Dantrium)
CNS direct acting (peripheral) - treat muscle spasticity
Decubiti
pressure sore or bed sore - A pressure-induced ulceration of the skin occurring in persons confined to bed for long periods of time
- Decadrone (Dexamethasone) 2. Methylprednisolone (Solu-Medrol)
Corticosteroids
Reticular activating system
special cells throughout the brainstem - control awareness + alertness ; the reticular formation are has many connections with the cerebrum, the rest of the brainstem and the cerebellum
Caloric test
ice/warm water is forced into ear canal - eyes rotate to opposite/same side of head (Nystagmus) ; performed to evaluate the vestibular (inner ear) portion of auditory nerve ; helps to determine brain death.
Obtunded
awakes only momentarily; confused
Persistent Vegetative State
awake, but unaware of surroundings
Locked-in syndrome
due to brain stem damage - awake and alert , but unable to move or respond, except by blinking eyes; death due to respiratory distress
Light vs deep coma
unresponsive, except to painful stimuli vs unresponsive
Brain stem consists of
Midbrain Pons Medulla
connects brain stem and cerebrum
Midbrain
bridges the two halves of the cerebellum to the medulla and cerebrum
Pons
site of reflex centers for many vital functions, i.e.: • respiratory • cardiac • vasomotor
Medulla
The NS is composed of two types of cells
- Neurons 2. Neuroglial cells - support, nourishment, and protection for neurons
Neuroglial cells - types
- Astrocytes 2. Oligodendroglia 3. Ependymal cells 4. Microglia
A tumor that arises from cells that comprise the supporting tissue of the nervous system; Malignant !!!
Gliomas
Pituitary adenoma types : Benign !!!
- Prolacting secreting - Galacterhea (milk production)
- ACTH secreting - Cushings syndrome (increase in corticosteroids)
- Growth hormone secreting
controls the hormones released by the adrenal gland that support blood pressure, metabolism, and the body’s response to stress
Adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH)
Transphenoidal micro surgical approach
through the nasal passage, going along the septum - then through the sphenoid sinus cavity located deep above the back of the throat to the pituitary gland immediately behind it; tx of pituitary adenoma; Mustache dressing - nose is packed - prevent sneezing ( increase ICP).
Tumor of the 8th CN, can grow quite large; always benign; S/s - vertigo + ringing in the ears (tinnitus) + staggering gait
Acoustic neuroma
Tumor - mass of blood vessels usually congenital ; risk for hemorrhagic stroke; benign
Angioma
Benign, highly vascular tumors which originate in the meningeal layer
Meningioma
Infratentorial tumor - craniotomy - positioning ; + cervical fx
Bed flat with small pillow for pt.
Hydrocephalus - increased CSF related to obstraction of the flow of CSF or displacement of the lateral ventricles by the expending lesions - increased ICP - S/s and TX
S/s : 1. gait disturbance 2. incontinence 3. confusion
TX: Ventriculoperitoneal or ventricular jugular shunt
Halo sign
red stain of blood surrounded with yellow “halo” stain, which is CSF. Need to test with a glucose strip to ensure this is what stain is showing - then call doctor
S/s of increased ICP
- Headache 2. Deteriorating LOC 3. Restlessness 4. Irritability 5. Dilated or pinpoint pupils that are slow to react or nonreactive to light
DI - diabetes insipidus
failure of posterior pituitary gland to release ADH - failure of renal tubules to reabsorb water - urine output is increased (polyuria) - dehydration ( polydipsia) , hypovolemic shock ; Hypernatremia
Vasopressin (Pitressin) - IV
Desmopressin acetate (DDAVP) - IV or nasal spray
antidiuretic hormone; tx of diabetes insipidus