Neuro (from slides neuro 2) Flashcards
Objective:
List and define common acute and chronic neurological disorders.
seeing half on the outside of one eye and half on the inside of the other eye
hemianopsia
Spontaneous excessive discharge of neurons
Causes: inflammation, hypoxia, bleeding
Involuntary repetitive movements/abnormal sensations
Seizures
Skull is rigid
Increase in fluid, exudate from inflammation, mass: compress the brain
Brain tissue will die
Increased pressure causes widespread loss of function
Monitor: instrument placed in ventricle or radiological exam
Increased ICP-(intracranial pressure)
Brain hemorrhage Trauma Cerebral edema Infection Tumor Excess CSF
Increased pressure
Body tries to compensate Shift CSF, increase venous return causes hypoxia, body compensates by arterial vasodilation First sign: decreased LOC Severe HA Projectile vomit papilledema
Early signs of ICP( intercranial pressure)
Signs of increased intracranial pressure
Decreased LOC: pressure on brainstem
Headache: distortion of meninges
Vomiting: pressure on medulla (emetic center)
Inc BP with inc pulse pressure: cerebral ischemia causes vasoconstriction
Papilledema: swelling around optic disc
Pupil fixed and dilated: pressure on CN III
Drooping of eyelid
- Infection of the meninges
- Usually bacterial
- Reach brain by blood or wound
- Rapid spread
- Exudate covers surface of the brain
Meningitis an Infection of the brain
Children and young adults get what brain infections?
Neisseria meningitidis
Menigococcus
E-coli (neonate)
Haemophilus influenzae
who gets Streptococcus pneumoniae- a brain infection?
elderly
Severe headache Photophobia Back pain Vomiting Irritability Stupor
Signs and symptoms of infection of the brain.
Antibiotic therapy
Treatment for ICP
glucocorticoids
treatment for brain infection
- Inflammatory condition of peripheral nervous -system
- Cause is unknown
- ? Abnormal immune response
- Preceded by viral infection
- Mostly affects motor nerve fibers
- May affect sensory and autonomic
- Usually begins in legs: inflammatory and degenerative process
- Ascends: will involve trunk, arms, neck and then into cranial nerves
- Can cause paralysis of respiratory muscles and diaphragm
Guillain-Barre Syndrome
Mm weakness and areflexia in legs Ascending paralysis Parasthesias Vision and speech can be affected Swallowing and respiration
Signs and symptoms of Guillain-Barre Syndrome
Supportive care
Immunoglobulin therapy
Therapy to help increase strength and function
30% residual weakness
Treatment Guillain-Barre Syndrome
Congenital Disorders
Seizure Disorders
Chronic Neurological Disorders
Hydrocephalus
Spina Bifida
Cerebral Palsy
Congenital Disorders
Absence (petit mal) seizures
Tonic-clonic (grand mal) seizures
Partial Seizures
Seizure Disorders
Increase in CSF
Hydrocephalus
- Water on the brain
- Cranial sutures are open
- In babies, the head can expand
- In adults, ICP increases more rapidly because the skull cannot expand
Hydrocephalus
This is describing what ?
Large head
white sclera visible above iris
High pitched cry
Hydrocephalus – Signs and symptoms for infants
This is describing what ?-Severe headache
- Vomiting
- Pupils fixed, dilated
Hydrocephalus – Signs and symptoms for adults
Noncommunicating: flow of CSF in blocked
Communicating hydrocephalus: absorption of CSF through subarachnoid villi is impaired
effects of Hydrocephalus
Depends on rate of pressure increase
Time before pressure is relieved
Brain damage Hydrocephalus
Surgery to remove obstruction or place shunt
VP shunt
VA shunt
Hydrocephalus – Treatment
- Neural tube defects
- Neural tube develops in 4th week of gestation
- The posterior spinous processes on the vertebrae fail to fuse
- Usually in lumbar area
Spina Bifida
Three types of Spina Bifida:
Spina bifida occulta
Meningocele
Myelomeningocele
Spinous processes do not fuse
Defect not usually visual
Can find on xray
Spina Bifida Occulta
- Herniation of meninges
- Sac will form
- transillumination
Meningocele
Multifactorial Genetic + environmental factors Exposure to radiation Gestational diabetes Deficits of Vitamin A or Folic Acid
**Folic Acid supplements are recommended prior to conception, since the neural tube forms so early.
Spina bifida - Etiology
Visible protruding sac over spine
Extent of neurological deficit depends on level of defect in spine
Spina bifida – signs and symptoms prior to conception, since the neural tube forms so early.
- Surgical repair
- Usually a neurologic deficit remains
- Rehab
Spina bifida – treatment
- Serious
- Herniation of spinal cord and nerves
- Neurological impairment
myelomeningocele
