Neurological Disorders - Medical Flashcards by Abby Lampman

What type of stroke are seizures associated with?

Hemorrhagic

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What is a Coma?

A deep state of unconsciousness. Patient cannot be aroused by external stimuli

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What are the six general causes of a coma?

Structural, metabolic, drugs, cardiovascular, respiratory, infection

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What causes a structural coma

Tumours, abscesses, and pressure from bleeding encroach on the RAS in brain

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What causes a toxic coma?

Presence of circulating toxins, metabolites or lack of oxygen and glucose. Progressive deterioration. Hypoglycaemia, sepsis, drugs

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What are some examples of structural causes of a coma?

Inter cranial bleeding, head trauma, brain tumours

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What are some examples of metabolic causes for coma?

Anoxia, hypoglycaemia, diabetic keto acidosis, thiamine deficiency, kidney and liver failure.

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What are some drugs that may induce coma?

Barbiturates, narcotics, Hallucinogens (interfere with neurotransmitter), depressants, alcohol.

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What is a Barbiturate?

Sedative or anesthetic drug

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What are some examples of narcotics that can induce coma

Morphine, fentanyl

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

How might the cardiovascular system induce a coma

Dysthymia, shock, stroke, hypertensive encephalopathy (sudden raise in BP with headache nausea, seizures )

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

How might the respiratory system induce a coma

COPD (irregular levels of co2/o2), toxic inhalation

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

How might infection induce a coma?

Meningitis (bacterial-fatal, or viral- slow and recoverable), sepsis

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What does the pneumonic AEIOU TIPS stand for?

The causes for coma;
ACIDOSIS, ALCOHOL
EPILEPSY
INFECTION
OVERDOSE
UREMIA
TRAUMA
INSULIN
PSYCHOSIS
STROKE

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What does CVA stand for?

Cerebral vascular accident

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What is a CVA

Sudden alteration in level of consciousness, sensation, and/ or voluntary movement due to obstruction or rupture of an artery in the brain.

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What are the modifiable risk factors for a stroke?

Hypertension, cigarette smoking, TIA, heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol

What are some non-modifiable risk factors for a stroke?

Age, gender, race, prior strokes, genetics, hypercoagulopathy, high RBC

What are the complications of a hemorrhagic stroke?

Rapidly fatal, can’t stop the bleed - often associated with a seizure

What are the characteristics of an ischemic stroke?

Blood clot/blockage, rarely lethal in first hour, 80-85% of strokes, clot buster meds (6 hour!)

Signs and Symptoms of an ischemic stroke?

hemiplegia, aphasia, numbness, confusion, convulsions, incontinence, double vision, slurred speech, headache, dizziness

What is the difference between a throbus and an embolus

thrombus is a blood clot, embolus is an obstruction due to a mass of undissolved matter lodging in a vessel

What are some causes of cerebral embolus?

air embolism after thoracic surgery, fat embolism after long bone injuries, gas embolus (diving)

What is a TIA

Transient ischemic attack, temporary reduction in blood flow. Lasts minutes to 2 hours, recovery in 24 hours

S/S of TIA

related to location of ischemia, weakness, paralysis, numbness in face, speech disturbances,

What are some assessments for stroke?

arm/leg drift, smile test, slurred speech, pupils

How does a paramedic manage a stroke pt

stroke protocol, ABC, position supine with head elevated, assessment, history collection

What 3 things does the LAMS scorecard evaluate?

facial droop, arm drift, grip strength

In simplest terms, what is a Seizure?

brain hyperactivity. A temporary alteration in behavior of consciousness caused by the abnormal electrical activity at one or more groups of neurons in the brain

What are the 2 types of seizures

Generalized; entire brain, Partial: known focus

What is a petit Mal seizure

lapse of consciousness in(often) 4-12 y/o, short lived, no loss of motor activity/posture

What is a Tonic Clonic Seizure

Grand Mal, two phases, sudden onset with loss of organized muscle tone

What are the characteristics of the tonic phase?

ext. muscle tone activity, flexion, apnea, tongue biting, incontinence (short duration)

What are the characteristics of the clonic phase in grand mal?

rigidity then relaxation, convulsions, 1-3 minute, massive ANS discharge- hyperventilation salivation, tachycardia

What are the characteristics of postictal phase of Grand Mal

Drowsiness or unconsciousness, Lasts minutes to hours, Followed by confusion and fatigue, Transient neurological deficits

What is status Epilepticus

prolonged seizure activity, re occurring before recovery.

What is a Simple Partial seizure

Motor (one part of body) or sensory(tingling, numbness, visual, auditory taste, no LOC, may lead to generalized

What is a Jacksonian seizure

seizure with brief alteration in movement, sensation or nerve function. head twitches, word repeating, lip smacking

What is a complex partial seizure?

arise from focal seizure in temporal lobe. Changes in behavior. preceded by an aura, abnormal repetitive motor behavior, period of amnesia, brief

What is the assessment for seizures?

Status on arrival, history of seizures and other significant factors, description of seizure (Onset duration, pattern events prior), head trauma, fever, headache

What are the drugs used for Seizures

Dilantin, Valium, Ativan, Versed