Neurological Conditions

Question 1

Altered level of consciousness

Answer 1

Pt is not awake, alert, or able to understand or react as they normally would. Caused by head injury, medicines, alcohol, drugs, dehydration or conditions (diabetes)

Question 2

Head injury

Answer 2

Trauma to the scalp, brain or skull
Can be open or closed
Can be minor, serious or diffuse in nature

Question 3

Cerebral aneurysm

Answer 3

Weak or thin spot on an artery in the brain that balloons or bulges out and fills with blood. The bulge can put pressure on the nerves and brain tissues, or may rupture and lead to haemorrhage.

Question 4

Symptoms of aneurysm

Answer 4

Respiratory distress
Altered conscious state
severe headache
N&V

Question 5

Risk factors for aneurysm

Answer 5

Age
Smoking
Hypertension
Drug/alcohol abuse
Family history

Question 6

Treatment of an aneurysm

Answer 6

Surgery (clipping, coiling)
Management (pain, hypertension, anticonvulsants, rehab)
Lifestyle changes

Question 7

Craniotomy

Answer 7

Surgical removal of part of the bone from the skull to expose the brain

Question 8

General anaesthetic

Answer 8

Loss of sensation, with loss of consciousness and skeletal muscle relaxation

Question 9

Local anaesthetic

Answer 9

Loss of sensation without the loss of consciousness

Question 10

Peripheral nerve block

Answer 10

Type of region anaesthetic that involves injecting a local anaesthetic into a nerve blocking all sensory signals from that nerve

Question 11

Epidural/spinal anaesthetic

Answer 11

Involves injecting local anaesthetic into the spine which blocks sensory pathways so no pain is felt

Question 12

PACU discarge criteria

Answer 12

Fully awake and maintaining airway
Conscious and alert
Motor and sensory functions have begun to return
Vitals are stable
Pain is controlled