Neuro Flashcards
What type of seizures arise from a localized region of the brain and have clinical manifestations that reflect that area of brain?
Focal or partial seizure
What type of seizure beings with abnormal electrical discharges in both hemispheres simultaneously?
Primary generalized seizures
Includes grand mal and petit mal
What type of seizure is characterized by a temporary loss of consciousness or motor activity, amnesia of the event, are generally brief, has no aura, and ends abruptly?
Absence seizure
A generalized seizure
What type of seizure may have aura with abnormal smell, taste, sound or visual changes, loss of consciousness, and tonic, hypertonic, clonic, and post-seizure phases?
Grand mal
A generalized seizure
What are the do’s and don’ts of helping someone having a seizure?
Cushion head Remove glasses Loosen tight clothing Turn on side Time the seizure Nothing in the mouth Look for ID Don't hold down Offer help as it ends
What is status epilepticus?
A continuous, unremitting seizure lasting longer than 5 minutes
What is the cause of syncope?
Global cerebral hypoperfusion to the brain that most often results from hypotension
What is the most prevalent neurological disorder in terms of morbidity and mortality?
Cerebrovascular disease
What amount of time rules out transient ischemic attack (TIA)?
TIAs will resolve within 24 hours
What SSX are more common in hemorrhagic strokes than ischemic (but are not definitive)?
N/V
H/A
change in level of consciousness
What is the most common cause of thrombotic occlusion and where does it most commonly occur?
Atherosclerosis;
Carotid bifurcation or in the vertebrobasilar system
What vessel is found to have the greatest degree of compromise in a cerebral infarction?
Middle cerebral artery
What type of stroke is most common?
Ischemic (80%)
What type of stroke has the highest mortality rate?
Hemorrhagic (30 days - 40-80%)
What are the common SSX of stroke?
Abrupt onset of mono-, hemi- or quadriparesis Mono- or binocular visual loss Visual field deficits Diplopia Dysarthria Ataxia Vertigo Aphasia Sudden change in consciousness
What do you call a stroke that only appears to affect one side of the brain?
Dominant (or non-dominant) hemisphere stroke
What is of paramount importance when considering possible thrombolytic therapy?
Establishing the time on onset of symptoms
What is a mini-stroke that sometimes precedes complete occlusion of a cerebral vessel?
TIA - transient ischemic attack
What is the primary etiology of middle cerebral artery strokes and causes 15-30% of all strokes?
Embolism
What is the primary underlying cause of most cases of intracerebral hemorrhage?
Hypertension
Why are CT scans done immediately in stroke patients?
Do determine if it is hemorrhagic in which case anticoagulants would worsen the damage.
Cerebellar and brainstem strokes generally occur as a result of pathology in what blood vessels?
Vertebral or basilar arteries
What is the most frequent cause of clinically significant subarachnoid hemorrhage?
Rupture of a berry (saccular) aneurysm
What are the four types of vascular malformations of the brain?
Arteriovenous malformations
Cavernous hemangiomas
Venous hemangiomas
Capillary telangiectasias
