neuro (class 9) sensory

Question 1

Trigeminal neuralgia

Answer 1

cause: irritation of sensory branch of 5th cranial nerve.

onset after age 40 & more common in women.

triggered by cutaneous stimulation of trigger zone- can be touch or temperature.

Question 2

trigeminal neuralgia

symptoms

Answer 2

intermittent, suddent-onset severe facial pain, unilateral; + blinking, tearing, jerking, unpredictable; clusters possible.

Question 3

trigeminal neuralgia

treatment

Answer 3

meds: decrease neuron firing
nerve blocks
surgery.

Question 4

bell’s palsy cause

Answer 4

unknown affects the motor aspects of the 7th CN (facial nerve) inflammation related to herpers virus

Question 5

Bell’s palsy onset

Answer 5

20-60 yr old, any age can be affected.

suddent onset. usually temporary.

Question 6

Bell’s palsy symptoms

Answer 6

unilateral, drooping of mouth, eye rools up when closing eyelid; can have difficulty eating, tearing.

Question 7

Bell’s palsy treatment

Answer 7

meds: steroids, analgesics, eye protection

PT/OT

Question 8

Tension headaches

Answer 8

bilateral, “pressing-tightenint”, most common, mild-moderate; no triggering event. duration 30 mins- 7 days

Question 9

cluster headache

Answer 9

repeated over weeks or months, sharp/stabing periods or remission, swelling around eyes, congestion or tearing, awakens at night, often men 20-40 unilateral pain behind one eye.

Question 10

migraine

Answer 10

recurring, often unilateral, throbbing, family tendency.

improve with sleep, can have n/v photophobia and can be perceded by aura.

Question 11

headache triggers

Answer 11

food, hormones, stress/fatigue, trauma.

Question 12

headache tx

Answer 12

meds- reduce inflammation of cerebral blood vessels & vasoconstrict, prophylaxis in freq HA sufferers, many categories of meds.

Question 13

headache management

Answer 13

diary to determine triggers. treat symptoms ASAP, rest, reduce stress, R/O othr brain pathology

Question 14

primary brain tumors

Answer 14

arise from tissues within brain

Question 15

secondary brain tumors

Answer 15

metastatic, most common

Question 16

brain tumor symptoms

Answer 16

HA, N/V, behavior changes, muscle weakness, seizures, cognitive problems: memory, personality and mood, sensory loss, hydrocephalus.

Question 17

brain tumor treatment

Answer 17

surgery, radiation, chemo, symptom management: shunts.

Question 18

diagnostic procedures

Answer 18

EEG
EMG
CT SCAN
MRI
ANGIOGRAM
LUMBAR PUNCTURE

Question 19

EEG

Answer 19

records electrical activity of the brain using scalp electrodes. noninvasive.

pt teaching:
clean hair, check meds, records brain energy patterns, no caffeine 8 hrs before test.

Question 20

EMG

Answer 20

records electrical activity associated with innervation of skeletal muscle. needle electrodes into muscle. normal skeletal muscle has no electrical activity at rest.

often done with nerve conduction studies in which stimulus is applied distally then measured proximally. looks at the speed of depolarization

Question 21

CT- computed tomography

Answer 21

computer assisted xray of multiple cross sections. noninvasive. some studies will utilize IV contrast media

Question 22

MRI

Answer 22

use magnetic field and radio waves to create detailed image. greated contrast & better images of soft tissue. can do 3D

noninvasive but claustrophobic, noisy, and metal risks. can use contrast media to enhance images.

pt must be very still

Question 23

PET - positron emission tomography

Answer 23

measures the metabolic activity of tissue at the cellular level.
requires IV injection of radioactive tracer.

provides 3D images. can measure blood flow, o2 use & glucose metabolism in tissues. earlier detection of problems.

pt must be very still

Question 24

angiogram

Answer 24

evaluates vascular status by inserting catheter ( groin) & threading catheter to carotid and contrast inserted. serial images to evaluae flow of the dye.

invasive and risk of allergy due to contrast media.

aftercare of puncture site to prevent/detect bleeding.