Neurological Disease Flashcards
What is a Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA)?
Stroke
Caused by interrupted circulation for the brain
Can lead to ischemia and brain tissue damage
What is an Occlusive / Thrombotic Stroke?
The most common type of stroke
Caused by a blockage in a blood vessel. Patients often have a past history of vessel disease
Whats a common HX for patients with a Occlusive / Thrombotic stroke?
-Atherosclerosis
-Brain tumor
-Valvular heart disease
-A Fib
What is a Hemorrhagic Stroke?
brain bleed caused by a rupture blood vessel
Rapid development
What are some risk factors for stroke?
-Age
-Chronic alcohol consumption
-High cholesterol
-HX of TIA
-Cardiac disease / Hypertension
-Cocaine use
-Smoking
-Arrhythmias
-Oral contraceptive use
-Diabetes
SS of Stroke
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
What is a transient ischemic attack (TIA)?
“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
SS of a TIA
Facial droop
Bilateral arm weakness
Bilateral grip weakness
Dizziness
headache
Arrhythmias
Seizure
Unequal pupils
Altered LOC
Hypertension
What is a seizure?
Occurs when neurons fire sudden and erratically
Common causes of seizures:
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)
what are the phases in a Grand Mal / Tonic - Clonic seizure
- Aura: varies with each patient, could include: Seeing a spot, muscle twitch or tasting a taste
- Loss of conciousness
- Tonic: full body rigidity
4.Hypertonic phase: Arched back and rigidity
- Clonic: Rhythmic conraction of major muscle groups
- Post seizure: Muslces relax, eyes may be rolled back
- Postictal: Reset period of the brain. Could take hours for pt to regain post seizure conciousness
What is status elipticus?
A seizure that lasts longer than 4-5 minutes
2 or more seizures occur without the return of conciousness
What is syncope?
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
SS of syncope
Fear
Stress
Pain
Spinning room
Sudden rush of V-tach after syncope
BP drops
What is Alzheimer disease?
Progressive, Irreversible brain disorder.
Most common form is dementia
What is dementia?
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
What is peripheral neuropathy?
A group of conditions in which nerve endings leaving the spinal chord become damaged.
What is the most common peripheral neuropathy?
Diabetic neuropathy
What is Diabetic Neuropathy?
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
