Neurological Emergencies Flashcards
What is Ptosis?
Drooping of the eye
What is dysphagia?
inability to swallow/eat/drink
What is dysarthria?
impairment or clumsiness in the uttering of words
What is nystagmus?
involuntary back and forth eye movements; horizontal, vertical or cyclical
What is paresthesia?
numbness or tingling; pins and needles
What is anesthesia?
complete loss of sensation
What is agnosia?
inability to ID simple objects
What is apraxia?
Unable to use common objects
What is hemiparesis?
One sided weakness
What is hemiplegia?
one sided paralysis
What does ipsilateral mean?
affecting the same side of the body
What does contralateral mean?
affecting the opposite side of the body
What are the meninges?
The layers that surround the CNS moving outward in - Dura, arachnoid and pia mater
What signs and symptoms indicate neurological compromise?
-Headache
-Visual/auditory abnormalities
-Paralysis
-Paresthesia
-Altered LOA
-Facial droop/ptosis
-Motor function compromise
What is Cushing’s Triad?
dec HR and RR, inc. BP w wide PP
What is multiple sclerosis?
-Autoimmune disorder where the body attacks the myelin sheath (insulator) in the brain and/or spinal cord resulting in disruption of signal.
-Can result in blindness, motor dysfunctions and/or speech dysfunction.
-Symptoms may persist or come and go (attacks)
What is cerebral palsy?
-A group of permanent movement disorders that appear early in childhood generally caused by abnormal development or damage to parts of the brain in utero.
-Will present with poor coordination, muscle stiffness, weak muscles or tremors and can
lead to complications like seizures and intellectual disabilities.
What is GBS?
-Sudden bilateral weakness within the PNS usually starting w hands or feet and moving upward.
-Can be fatal if moves into chest and muscles used in respiration.
-Autoimmune in nature where the body attacks the myelin sheath (like MS).
-Pt’s can improve and return to normal life with treatment usually involving IVIG.
What are the signs and symptoms of meningitis?
-Fever
-Headache
-Nuccal rigidity
-Photophobia
-Altered LOA
-Sometimes a rash (petechiae)
What is Parkinson’s?
-A long-term degenerative disorder of the CNS (cell death within the basil ganglia) mainly affecting motor function.
-S&S worsen over time may include: Tremors, unsteady gait or shuffling, rigidity and difficulty with speech
What is Bells Palsy?
-Dysfunction of cranial nerve VII resulting in facial paralysis, twitching or weakness.
-It has a sudden onset and generally lasts around 2 weeks.
-Risk factors are: Diabetes, recent URI, pregnancy
What is myasthenia gravis?
-Autoimmune disease that causes breakdown of receptors at the nerve/muscle junction.
-Most commonly affects muscles of the eyes, face and swallowing but can cause motor dysfunction.
S&S may include:
-Unsteady gait
-Ptosis
-Dysarthria
-Muscle weakness
What is Wernicke-Korsakoff Encephalopathy?
-Chronic thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency generally as a result of chronic alcohol abuse.
S&S may include:
-Visual disturbances
-Altered LOA (mood)
-Ataxia (unsteady gait)
What are the signs and symptoms of increased ICP?
-Headache
-NV
-Photophobia
-Hemiparesis
-Hemiplegia
-Altered LOA
-Unconsciousness
-Seizure
-Blown pupil
-and/or Cushing’s triad.