Neuro Emergency p1

Question 1

Central nervous system is made up of… (2)

Answer 1

1. Brain
   - Cerebrum
   - Cerebellum
   - Brain stem
2. Spinal cord

Question 2

Cerebrum
1. Responsible for…
2. Gray matter
3. White matter

Answer 2

1. Higher-order behaviors (learning, intelligence, awareness).
2. Cerebral cortex; outer layer of the brain.
3. Fibers beneath the cortex.

Question 3

Brain stem
1. Connection…
2. Responsible for…
3. What originates from here?

Answer 3

1. Connection between the brain & the spinal cord.
2. Responsible for basic support functions of the body.
3. Many of the cranial nerves originate from this area of the brain.

Question 4

Cranial nerves may contain ___ of motor neurons, axons of ___ neurons, or combinations of ___.
There are __ nerve pairs in PNS that originate directly from the ___.

Answer 4

1. Axons
2. Sensory
3. 12 pairs
4. Brain

Question 5

Cerebellum is responsible for (3)

Answer 5

1. Coordinated movement
2. Balance
3. Posture

Question 6

Spinal cord function (2)

Answer 6

1. Conducts sensory information & motor instructions between the brain & peripheral nerves.
2. Modifies nerve impulses

Question 7

Neurological signs
CNS (6)

Answer 7

Brain
1. Mentation
2. Behavior
3. Seizures
4. Balance
Spinal cord
5. Gait
6. Pain perception

Question 8

Neurological signs
PNS (4)

Answer 8

1. Nerve or muscle function of the body, not due to CNS.
2. Weakness
3. Tremors
4. Stiffness

Question 9

Primary vs Secondary neurologic signs

Answer 9

Primary
- Etiology is within the neurological system
Secondary
- Etiology is due to organ or electrolyte dysfunction
- Neurological system simply showing signs

Question 10

Neurological evaluation includes (7)

Answer 10

1. Neurological exam
2. Blood evaluation
   - CBC, Chem (glucose, Ca+), Bile acid study (esp neonates).
3. Blood pressure
4. Optho exam
5. Imaging (myelogram, CT, MRI)
6. CSF analysis/Biopsy
7. Electromyography (EMG)

Question 11

What are the 5 major components of the Neuro exam?

Answer 11

1. Mentation status
2. Gait & posture
3. Cranial nerve exam
4. Postural reactions
5. Spinal reactions

Question 12

Mentation status (6)

Answer 12

1. BAR
   - Bright, Alert, Responsive
2. QAR
   - Quiet, Alert, Responsive
3. Dull
   - Aware of environment, but blunted response
4. Disoriented/Stupor
   - Aware of environment, but inappropriate response
5. Obtunded
   - Will only respond to very strong stimuli
6. Coma
   - Will not respond to stimuli

Question 13

Gait & Posture evaluates… (3)

Answer 13

1. Cerebellum and vestibular centers of brain
2. Of the spinal cord
3. Of the musculoskeletal system

Question 14

Cranial Nerve Exam (2)

Answer 14

1. A series of tests to evaluate the sensory & motor functions of the 12 cranial nerves.
2. Abnormalities can locate the problem to a very specific portion of the brain.

Question 15

Examples of cranial nerve exam (2)

Answer 15

1. Palpebral reflex arc
   - Light tap on the medial canthus of the eye produces a blink of the eyelids.
2. Pupillary light reflex (PLR)
   - Normal response to shining light in the eye of an animal is for the iris in both eyes to constrict.

Question 16

Postural Reactions are tests of the complex ___ of body location in the ___ & ___ responses to the situation.
Examples are: (5)

Answer 16

1. Recognition
2. Environment
3. Appropriate
   Examples:
   - Conscious proprioception
   - Hemi walking
   - Hopping
   - Wheelbarrowing
   - Postural thrust

Question 17

Spinal reflexes (2)

Answer 17

1. Check function of spinal cord at a specific site.
2. Does not evaluate if spinal messages are perceived by the brain
   - Myotatic reflexes (hammer test)
   - Withdrawal reflex
   - Crossed-extensor

Question 18

Withdrawal reflex results in…

Answer 18

Contraction or flexing of muscles