Neuro Emergencies Flashcards

1
Q

What is Meningitis?

A

Inflammation of the meninges that line the brain and spinal cord

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What are hallmark S/Sx of Meningitis?

A
  • Headache
  • Fever
  • Stiff neck
  • Change in mental status
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is the 2 MCC of Meningitis in all ages?

A

Streptococcus pneumonia

Neisseria meningitides

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is the MCC of Meningitis in infants <2 months of age?

A

Group B streptococcus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What should not be delayed in a pt who is suspected to have Meningitis?

A

Empiric therapy

- IV Rocephin and IV Acyclovir

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What viral family is the MC cause of viral Meningitis?

A

Enterovirus family

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What 2 types of fungus are the MC cause of fungal Meningitis?

A
  • Candida albicans

- Cryptococcus neoformans

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What parasite is the MC cause of parasitic Meningitis?

A

Naegleria fowleri

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What are non-infectious causes for Meningitis?

A
  • Cancer
  • Open head trauma
  • Medical procedures
  • Medications: NSAIDS, Amoxicillin, sulfur-base
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is the pathophysiology of Meningitis?

A

Encapsulated bacteria colonized in the nasopharynx and/or oropharynx and penetrate of the intravascular space and enter the subarachnoid space via blood-brain barrier

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What are other routes of pathogen entry that cause Meningitis but are less likely to occur?

A
  • Direct inoculation
  • Direct sending of para-meningeal structures
  • Contact and aspiration of maternal intestinal and/or genital tract secretions during birth
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

When does sxs usually appear in a pt with acute bacterial meningitis?

A

24-72 hrs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What are 2 LP risks?

A
  • Post-procedure headache: can last a few hours or days

- CSF leak. Resolved with “blood patch

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What are risk factors for an intracranial abscess?

A
  • Inadequately treated sub-acute or chronic ear, nose, mastoid, or dental infections
  • Endocarditis
  • Congenital heart disease
  • Recent neurosurgical procedure
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

An intracranial abscess usually presents with what?

A

A mild headache in the weeks to months prior to the emergency department visit

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is encephalitis?

A

Inflammation of the brain itself

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is the MCC of encephalitis?

A

Viral infections

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What is Dysautonomia?

A

Several medical conditions that cause a malfunction or failure of the ANS

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What is Pleocytosis?

A

Presence of a greater than normal number of cells in cerebrospinal fluid

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What is Parenchyma?

A

Functional tissue of a specific organ

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What is Parenchymal contusion?

A

Micro-hemorrhages with small vessel leakage into surrounding tissue

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What is Parenchymal laceration?

A

Complete separation of tissue

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What is Parenchymal Coup injury?

A

Occurs under the site of impact with an object

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What is Parenchymal Contra-coup injury?

A

Occurs on the side opposite the area that was initially impacted

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
What is Meningoencephalitis (meningitis + encephalitis)?
Inflammation/infection of the meninges and brain
26
What is the 2 MCC of Viral Encephalitis (aseptic encephalitis)
- Herpes simplex virus | - Arboviruses
27
What is Aseptic Meningitis (viral meningitis)?
Clinical and laboratory evidence of meningeal irritation with negative results of bacterial cultures
28
What are Meninges?
Three membranes lining the skull and vertebral canal which enclose the brain and spinal cord
29
What makes up the meninges?
Dura mater, arachnoid mater, pia mater
30
What is the Cushing's Syndrome triad?
As you increase ICP you get 1. Elevated BP 2. Decreased pulse rate 3. Irregular breathing patterns
31
What is a coma?
A state of prolonged unconsciousness
32
What is a prion?
- Infectious agents composed entirely of a protein-like material
33
What causes a prion?
- Transmissible spongiform encephalopathy that are a family of rare progressive neurodegenerative disorders (affects both humans and animals)
34
What diseases are responsible for a number of degenerative brain diseases?
- Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease - Fatal Familial Insomnia - Kuru disease
35
What is a concussion?
A brain tissue insult with transient alteration in mental status
36
What is post-concussion syndrome?
Complex disorders in which various symptoms: HA, dizziness, concentration difficulties
37
What is hypoxia?
Deficiency in the amount of oxygen reaching tissues
38
What is ataxia?
Neurological abnormality affecting muscle coordination and movements
39
How is arboviruses transmitted?
By arthropod vectors
40
How are enteroviruses named by?
Named by their transmission-route through the intestine.
41
What is dolls eyes referring to?
Referred to as oculocephalic reflex
42
What is positive dolls eye reflex?
Eyes move in direction opposite to that of the head movement
43
What is negative dolls eye reflex?
Eyes move in the direction of the head movement
44
What does a negative dolls eye reflex signify?
Severe brain damage or brain death
45
What is Guillain-Barre Syndrome?
Acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculopathy
46
Classic Guillain-Barre Syndrome generally is preceded by what?
- Viral prodromal sx's | - Followed by acute/subacute ascending symmetric weakness/paralysis and loss of DTR's
47
What part of the body is often affected by Guillain-Barre Syndrome?
Diaphragm- airway management if first order of tx.
48
What do you want to avoid giving when treating a pt with Guillain-Barre Syndrome?
Corticosteroids
49
What nerve is affected by Bell's Palsy?
Acute peripheral facial nerve palsy
50
Who is Bell's Palsy MC'ly seen in?
Pregnant females | - Especially during 3rd trimester and 1 week post partum.
51
What are some risk factors for Bell's Palsy?
- Recent fever - Viral infection - Tooth extraction - Chilling episode from cold exposure
52
Bell's Palsy is most often secondary to what?
Viral inflammatory process
53
What is the hallmark physical exam finding in a pt with Bell's Palsy?
- Loss of wrinkles on forehead and nasolabial folds | - Inability to raise eyebrow and furrow forehead
54
What is the treatment plan for Bell's Palsy?
- Oral medications: antiviral, corticosteroids, analgesia - Ocular care: lubricants (artificial tears), patching at night - Patient education and reassurance
55
What are 5 causes for a coma?
- Traumatic head injury - Stroke - Brain tumor - Drug or alcohol intoxication - Underlying illness
56
What is a arousal consciousness?
Defined as the awareness of self and surroundings
57
Cognition consciousness is located where and is responsible for what?
Located primarily in the cerebral cortex and responsible for: - Orientation - Judgement - Memory
58
What are s/sx of a coma?
- Increased sleepiness - Periods of confusion and disorientation - Trouble maintaining focus - Complete unresponsiveness
59
What should a clinician pay particular attention to in a pt with has been diagnosed with a coma?
ABC’s and specific vital signs (P-Ox, Temperature)
60
What are sxs of a parenchymal contusion?
- Memory loss - Attention problems - Emotional disturbances - Difficulty with motor coordination - Numbness - Loss of ability to understand or express speech
61
What is the tx for a parenchymal contusion?
- Bed rest, fluids, analgesia - Close follow up for assessment of potential complications (post concussion syndrome) of concussion such as: memory issues, cognitive issues, and, personality issues
62
What are the 3 types of intracranial hemorrhages?
- Epidural - Subdural - Subarachnoid
63
What is an epidural bleed?
Blood collection in potential space between skull and dura mater
64
What is a classic history of an epidural bleed?
Blunt trauma with LOC or altered metal status followed by lucid interval and subsequent rapid neurological demise
65
What is a subdural bleed?
- Sudden acceleration/ deceleration of brain parenchyma with subsequent tearing of bridge veins - Hematoma formation between dura mater and arachnoid space
66
What are 3 frequent signs and symptoms of cranial hemorrhages (increased ICP)?
- HA - Nausea/ vomiting - Seizures
67
What is the tx plan for cranial hemorrhages (increased ICP)?
- Immediate resuscitation and aggressive evaluation of ABC’s and “life threats” - Oxygen, IV’s, cardiac monitor, Foley catheter - Rapid neurosurgical consultation/transfer/admission - Medications: Mannitol - Monitor/treat ICP