Neuro - Key Words (Prof. Cowley made these last year for another class; they include links!) Flashcards

1
Q

Absence seizure

A

A type of generalized (involves both sides of brain) onset, non-motor seizure; usually seen in children & rarely beyond adolescence. Typical vs atypical vs myoclonic

Absence Seizure Video

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2
Q

Acetylcholine

A

A neurotransmitter. Myasthenia gravis is caused by an autoimmune process in which antibodies attack the acetylcholine receptors.

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3
Q

Aphasia

A

Impaired ability to communicate (comprehensive, expressive or both); often seen with CVA patients

https://youtu.be/RMa9BVpJkYQ

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4
Q

Ataxia

A

Inability to coordinate voluntary muscular movements; often looks as if patient is intoxicated

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5
Q

Autonomic dysfunction

A

Sometimes occurs with Guillain Barre Syndrome patients; disturbance in ANS results in orthostatic hypotension or hypertension, bradycardia, facial flushing, bowel/bladder problems

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6
Q

Automatism

A

Happens with partial complex seizures; a set of brief unconscious behaviors; several seconds to minutes to longer; examples include finger rubbing, lip smacking, chewing, swallowing - or more complex actions, such as sleepwalking or incoherent speech.

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7
Q

Bradykinesia

A

Slowness in initiation & execution of movement (seen with PD)

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8
Q

Say that word!

Diplopia

A

Double vision

Picture

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9
Q

Dopamine

A

Neurotransmitter; a deficit is found in Parkinson’s Disease

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10
Q

Dysarthria

A

Problem with muscular control with speech; many stroke patients have dysarthria; problems with pronunciation, articulation & phonation

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11
Q

Dyskinesia

A

Impairment of voluntary movement, resulting in fragmentary or incomplete movements

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12
Q

Dysphagia

A

Difficulty swallowing

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13
Q

Dysphasia

A

Impaired ability to communicate; often used interchangeably with aphasia

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14
Q

EEG

A

Electroencephalography - electrical activity of brain using scalp electrodes.

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15
Q

EMG

A

Electromyography - recording of electrical activity associated with innervation of skeletal muscle (needles used)

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16
Q

Evoked potential test

A

Electrical activity associated with nerve conduction along sensory pathways is recorded by electrodes placed on skin and scalp. A stimulus generates the impulse. Use to diagnose multiple sclerosis.

17
Q

Fasciculation

A

Spontaneous, involuntary muscle contraction & relaxation, involving fine muscle fibers.

18
Q

Ice pack test

A

Useful in diagnosing myasthenia gravis; bag of ice placed on closed eyelid of eye experiencing ptosis for one minute; when remove eyes, assess immediately to see if ptosis improves (lasts < 1 minute); sensitivity = 80% with prominent ptosis

19
Q

Nystagmus

A

Jerking or bobbing of eyes as they track moving object

20
Q

On-off phenomenon

A

Invariable consequence of long-term Levodopa administration; on = mobile - off = immobile; initially = wearing off at end of dosing interval, but eventually becomes predictable

Short clip demo

21
Q

What are the types of seizures?

A

Generalized onset

  • Tonic-clonic
  • Absence

Focal-onset

  • Focal seizures w/ retained awareness
  • Focal seizures w/ impaired awareness
22
Q

Plasmapheresis

A

A possible intervention for myasthenia gravis & guillain barre (all autoimmune in nature); pulls plasma out of body to rid of autoantibodies

23
Q

Phases of a generalized seizure

A

Prodromal - patient can tell the seizure is on its way; hours or even days before seizure starts; not all people experience this stage; examples = mood changes, feeling lightheaded, difficulty sleeping

Aural - an early part of the seizure; examples = deja vu (a sense that something has happened before when in fact it hasn’t); odd smells/tastes or sounds; vision problems; pins & needles feeling in parts of body, etc.

Ictal - the time from the first symptom to the end of the seizure; intense electrical activity is occurring in the brain; loss of awareness, confusion, difficulty hearing, twitching, loss of muscle control, repeated movements, body convulsions, etc.

Post-ictal - after the ictal phase; recovery phase; during this phase any physical after-effects of the seizure are felt; confusion, lack of consciousness, exhaustion, loss of bowel/bladder control, anxiety, etc.

24
Q

Ptosis

A

Drooping eyelid; sometimes seen with myasthenia gravis

25
Q

Pull test

A

A test when assessing for s/s of Parkinson’s disease

26
Q

Status epilepticus

A

Continuing series of seizures without recovery period; life-threatening; biggest concern with tonic-clonic; respiratory arrest/hypoxia/brain damage/death; airway is priority; IV lorazepam or diazepam, drug of choice.

27
Q

Tensilon Test

A

Done to diagnose myasthenia gravis; “tensilon’s” generic name is edrophonium & it is an acetylcholineserase inhibitor; onset = 30-45 second/duration = 5-10 minutes; given IV & watch eyelids; ptosis will improve if r/t MG.

28
Q

Thymectomy

A

Removal of the thymus; treatment for myasthenia gravis

29
Q

Vagal nerve stimulator

A

For refractory seizures