Neurological Emergencies

Question 1

What are neurological emergencies?

Answer 1

Life-threatening conditions that affect the central or peripheral nervous system, requiring immediate diagnosis and treatment to prevent death or permanent disability.

Question 2

True/False: Neurological emergencies include only stroke and seizures.

Answer 2

False. They include a range of conditions like meningitis, encephalitis, GBS, and more.

Question 3

______ is a neurological emergency caused by the sudden interruption of blood supply to the brain.

Answer 3

Stroke

Question 4

Name three common neurological emergencies.

Answer 4

Stroke, status epilepticus, and acute bacterial meningitis.

Question 5

True/False: Guillain-Barré Syndrome can be classified as a neurological emergency

Answer 5

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Question 6

What are the two main types of stroke?

Answer 6

Ischaemic stroke and haemorrhagic stroke.

Question 7

The initial treatment for ischaemic stroke is ______ within the first 4.5 hours.

Answer 7

Thrombolysis (e.g., alteplase).

Question 8

True/False: Haemorrhagic stroke requires immediate anticoagulation therapy.

Answer 8

False. It requires blood pressure control and neurosurgical intervention if necessary.

Question 9

Define status epilepticus.

Answer 9

A seizure lasting more than 5 minutes or recurrent seizures without recovery in between

Question 10

First-line treatment for status epilepticus includes ______ or ______ administered intravenously.

Answer 10

Lorazepam; diazepam.

Question 11

True/False: Status epilepticus can lead to permanent brain damage if untreated.

Answer 11

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Question 12

What is the first-line antibiotic treatment for suspected bacterial meningitis in adults?

Answer 12

IV ceftriaxone or cefotaxime, often with dexamethasone.

Question 13

The classic triad of meningitis includes fever, ______, and altered mental status.

Answer 13

Neck stiffness.

Question 14

A lumbar puncture should always be performed before starting antibiotics in suspected meningitis.

Answer 14

False. Antibiotics should not be delayed if meningitis is strongly suspected.

Question 15

What are signs of raised ICP?

Answer 15

Headache, vomiting, papilledema, and decreased consciousness.

Question 16

______ posturing is a late sign of raised ICP and indicates severe brain injury.

Answer 16

Decerebrate.

Question 17

True/False: Mannitol and hypertonic saline are used to manage raised ICP.

Answer 17

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Question 18

What is the most common cause of viral encephalitis?

Answer 18

Herpes simplex virus (HSV).

Question 19

Treatment for HSV encephalitis is intravenous ______.

Answer 19

Acyclovir.

Question 20

True/False: Lumbar puncture is contraindicated in all cases of encephalitis.

Answer 20

False. It is contraindicated only if there are signs of raised ICP.

Question 21

What is the first-line treatment for GBS?

Answer 21

IV immunoglobulin (IVIG) or plasma exchange.

Question 22

In GBS, ascending weakness and ______ are common clinical features.

Answer 22

Areflexia.

Question 23

What neurological emergencies can cause acute respiratory failure?

Answer 23

Guillain-Barré Syndrome, myasthenic crisis, and motor neuron disease.

Question 24

True/False: Non-invasive ventilation is always sufficient in cases of neuromuscular respiratory failure.

Answer 24

False. Intubation and mechanical ventilation may be required.

Question 25

What are red flag symptoms in neurological emergencies?

Answer 25

Sudden severe headache, new focal neurological deficits, altered consciousness, and seizures.

Question 26

Sudden-onset “thunderclap” headache is a key symptom of ______ haemorrhage.

Answer 26

Subarachnoid.

Question 27

True/False: Any patient with acute neurological deficits and fever should be assessed for meningitis or encephalitis.

Answer 27

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