Neurological Disease

Question 1

What is a Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA)?

Answer 1

Stroke

Caused by interrupted circulation for the brain

Can lead to ischemia and brain tissue damage

Question 2

What is an Occlusive / Thrombotic Stroke?

Answer 2

The most common type of stroke

Caused by a blockage in a blood vessel. Patients often have a past history of vessel disease

Question 3

Whats a common HX for patients with a Occlusive / Thrombotic stroke?

Answer 3

-Atherosclerosis
-Brain tumor
-Valvular heart disease
-A Fib

Question 4

What is a Hemorrhagic Stroke?

Answer 4

brain bleed caused by a rupture blood vessel

Rapid development

Question 5

What are some risk factors for stroke?

Answer 5

-Age
-Chronic alcohol consumption
-High cholesterol
-HX of TIA
-Cardiac disease / Hypertension
-Cocaine use
-Smoking
-Arrhythmias
-Oral contraceptive use
-Diabetes

Question 6

SS of Stroke

Answer 6

Facial Droop
Bilateral Arm weakness
Bilateral Grip weakness

Dizziness
Severe Headache
Nausea / Vommiting
Dysphagia (Swallowing Dificulties)
Asphagia (Language Difficulty)
Seizure
Decreased LOC
Unequal Pupils
Hypertension

Question 7

What is a transient ischemic attack (TIA)?

Answer 7

“mini stroke”

Interuption of O2 to the brain, through either a blockage or bleed.

Unlike strokes, TIAs must be self resolved within 24 hours, or they are considered CVAs

Question 8

SS of a TIA

Answer 8

Facial droop
Bilateral arm weakness
Bilateral grip weakness

Dizziness
headache
Arrhythmias
Seizure
Unequal pupils
Altered LOC
Hypertension

Question 9

What is a seizure?

Answer 9

Occurs when neurons fire sudden and erratically

Question 10

Common causes of seizures:

Answer 10

Abscess
AIDs
Alcohol
Birth defect
Brain infection (meningitis)
Trauma
Diabetes
Fever
Incorrect medical dosing
Drugs
Stroke / TIA
Tumor
Uremia (toxin build up due to failing kidneys)

Question 11

what are the phases in a Grand Mal / Tonic - Clonic seizure

Answer 11

1. Aura: varies with each patient, could include: Seeing a spot, muscle twitch or tasting a taste
2. Loss of conciousness
3. Tonic: full body rigidity

4.Hypertonic phase: Arched back and rigidity

5. Clonic: Rhythmic conraction of major muscle groups
6. Post seizure: Muslces relax, eyes may be rolled back
7. Postictal: Reset period of the brain. Could take hours for pt to regain post seizure conciousness

Question 12

What is status elipticus?

Answer 12

A seizure that lasts longer than 4-5 minutes

2 or more seizures occur without the return of conciousness

Question 13

What is syncope?

Answer 13

Fainting

Sudden temporary loss of consciousness. The brain uses glucose at a high rate and has no ability to store it, leading to a 3-5 second interruption of blood flow

Question 14

SS of syncope

Answer 14

Fear
Stress
Pain
Spinning room
Sudden rush of V-tach after syncope
BP drops

Question 15

What is Alzheimer disease?

Answer 15

Progressive, Irreversible brain disorder.

Most common form is dementia

Question 16

What is dementia?

Answer 16

A form of Alzheimer’s Disease

A chronic deterioration of a persons personality, memory and ability to think

Caused by the death of neurons in the brain

Question 17

What is peripheral neuropathy?

Answer 17

A group of conditions in which nerve endings leaving the spinal chord become damaged.

Question 18

What is the most common peripheral neuropathy?

Answer 18

Diabetic neuropathy

Question 19

What is Diabetic Neuropathy?

Answer 19

Peripheral nerves can become damaged as BGL rises, resulting in misfiring or shorting signals.

Patients may experience: Sensory or Motor impairment, loss of sensation, numbness, pain and muscle weakness