Neuro (General) Flashcards
What is the Monro-Kelie Hypothesis?
the skull contains brain, CSF, and blood
if you increase one, something else will have to decrease because there is only so much room in the skull
MAP < 50 indicates
decreased cerebral blood flow and hypoxia to the brain
MAP > 175 indicates
hyperemia (too much blood going to the brain) which causes a high risk for stroke
What is the purpose of neuro assessments?
used to compare to previous assessments to determine trends, changes, and needed interventions
An anterior stroke affects which blood vessels?
carotids and middle cerebral arteries
will only affect one side of the brain/body
A posterior stroke affects which blood vessels?
basilar and vertebral arteries
will affect both sides of the brain/body bc of the anatomy and location of these vessels
Cervical spinal cord injury triad
hypotension, bradycardia, and hypothermia
Cushing’s triad
widened pulse pressure, bradycardia, irregular respirations
indicative of increased ICP and impending brain herniation
What to ask when assessing orientation?
person, place, time, situation (so why are you in the hospital?)
Why do we assess cranial nerves?
many cranial nerves come off of the brainstem; increased ICP in the medulla, pons, and midbrain can cause problems with these nerves
What is pronator drift and why do we assess for it?
A motor function test where the patient holds their hands out, palms up, with their eyes closed
Positive sign: Pt will start turning their hands over (pronation) and move them away from each other (drift)
Indicatives spasticity and suggests that they have an upper motor neuron lesion
aka the pizza box test
What are the three basic reflexes that originate from the brainstem?
Corneal, cough, gag
What are the three components of the Glasgow coma scale?
eye opening, verbal response, motor response
