Neuro Flashcards
Name the scale used to determine the severity of a TBI.
Glasgow Coma Scale -Eye opening (1-4) -Motor Response (1-6) -Verbal Response (1-5) Score of 8 or less signifies coma
What are some of the abnormal states of consceiousness?
Lethargic - falls asleep when not stimulated (decreased awareness)
Obtrunded - Difficult to arouse, requires constant stimulation
Stupor - Arousal only with strong, generally noxious stimuli and returns to unconscious state when stimuli is stopped
What are some coordination tests for the upper and lower extremities?
Upper - finger to nose, finger opposition, tapping, arm bounce, rebound phenomenon
Lower - Heel to shin, tapping, Romberg test, Gait
What are the 2 most common causes of traumatic spinal cord injuries?
MVA, and falls
What are some non-traumatic causes of spinal cord injuries?
Impingement, ischemia, AVM, hemorrhage, disease (MS)
What’s the difference between a complete and incomplete spinal cord injury
Complete (A) - No sensory or motor function
Incomplete (B) - preservation of sensory function, but no motor function
What is spinal shock, and some common symptoms?
Loss of all physiologic effect below injury
Can cause orthostatic hypotension, bradycardia, hypothermia, altered sympathetic reflex activity
What is a TIA?
Brief episode of neurologic dysfunction caused by a focal disturbance or brain or retinal ischemia
How long do symptoms of a TIA normally last?
Less than and hour
normally no evidence of infarction
What are the types of CVA?
Ischemic (blockage)
Hemorrhagic (bleed)
Lacunar (small vessel strokes, deep brain)
What is the time frame for getting a tPA after ischemic stroke?
4.5 hours
Make sure to watch blood pressure during first 24 hours
What is an AVM?
Ateriovenous Malformation - blood from arterial system is shunted to the venous system (bypasses capillaries)
What is the difference between communicating and noncommunicating hydrocephalus?
Noncommunicating - Obstruction of CSF in ventricles.
Communicating - Obstruction in CSF flow with the subarachnoid space (meningitis.)
What causes a cerebrospinal fluid leak?
Meningeal tear
How much time do you want to leave in between instructions with a patient with dementia
90 seconds (1 step commands)
