Neurological Flashcards
APD (afferent pupillary defect)
An abnormal finding of dilation of the pupil instead of constriction in response to shining light
Anisocoria
Unequal diameter of pupils
Antalgic gait
Limping
Aphasic
Inability to generate or understand language due to damage to the brain. Either inability to create words (i.e. expressive aphasia ) or inability to understand spoken words (i.e. receptive aphasia)
Ataxia
Loss of coordination
Bell’s Palsy
A localized facial nerve dysfunction that causes facial droop and numbness
Cerebrovascular accident (CVA)
Stroke. Blood supply to the brain is restricted or absent due to hemorrhage or occlusion of a vessel resulting in neurological damage and dysfunction.
Clonus
Involuntary muscle contractions and relaxations.
Decreased rectal tone
Diminished anal sphincter muscle contraction; indicative of neurological damage.
Dysarthria
Poor mechanical articulation of speech due to abnormal lip, tongue, or cheek motor function.
Dysphagia
Difficulty in swallowing
Dysphasia
Difficulty in neurologically generating or understanding knowledge
EMOI
Extraocular movements intact
EOM palsy
Paralysis of the extra ocular movement
Facial asymmetry
Drooping of one side of the face indicating neurologic damage
Finger-nose-finger
A test to evaluate cerebellar function
Fundoscopic exam
The inside of the eye as seen with Ophthalmoscope looking for increased cranial pressure
Grand Mal seizure
epileptic attack characterized by convulsions, stupor, and temporary loss of consciousness
Hemiparesis
Weakness of one half of the body
Hemiplegia
Paralysis of one half of the body
Neuralgia
Sharp pain along the course of a nerve or several nerves
Normal DTR’s
Normal deep tendon reflexes, rated as 2/4
Oriented x 3
Oriented to person, place, and time
Papilledema
Swelling of the optic nerve sheath, as noted with fundoscopic examination
Post-ictal
The state of somnolence and decreased responsiveness after a seizure
Romberg’s sign
Falling to one side when standing with feet together and eyes closed, indicating abnormal cerebellar function or inner ear dysfunction
Status epilepticus
Repetitive seizures without regaining consciousness between them
Strength 5/5
Normal strength of the extremities
Syncope
Loss of consciousness, fainting, “passing out”
Tongue deviation
Tongue pointing to one side
Tonic clonic
Description of a Grand-Mal or generalized seizure with stupor or transient levels of consciousness
Transient ischemic attack
TIA; Transient “mini stroke,” neurologic function is regained completely with time
Vertigo
Condition of feeling the room spin
