Neurology Flashcards
What is the most common brief, quantitative screening tool used to evaluate dementia and how is it commonly used?
Mini Mental Status Exam (MMSE) - commonly used as a baseline for future comparison to evaluate progression of the disease.
Describe the common S/S associated with early onset of Alzheimer’s disease.
Memory loss that giving clues doesn’t help, visual-spatial deficits, language defects.
What S/S are associated with lewy body dementia?
cognitive flucutaitons, visual hallucinatinos, Parkinsonism
What S/S are associated with frontotemporal dementia?
personality, and social behavior changes, nonfluent speech
What key factors differentiate delirium from dementia?
Delirium = rapid onset, fluctuating course
What pharmacological treatments may be used in Alzheimer’s disease?
Controversial - memantine, anti-Ach meds
How is delirium treated?
Address the underlying cause –> minimize use of physical restraints
What artery is most often involved in an ischemic stroke?
Middle cerebral artery
Differentiate S/S of ischemic stroke involving anterior, middle, and posterior cerebral arteries.
Ant: apraxia, contralateral paralysis (lower > upper)
Mid: contralateral paralysis (upper > lower), hemianopsia, aphasia
Post: LOC, N/V, ataxia, visual agnosia
Define the terms apraxia, hemianopsia, aphasia, ataxia, and agnosia.
apraxia: inability to perform purposeful actions
hemianopsia: loss of one half of vertical visual field
aphasia: inability to understand or express speech
ataxia: loss of full control of body movements
agnosia: inability to interpret sensations
What will a CT scan show in ischemic stroke?
loss of grey-white interface, acute hypodensity
Define transient ischemic attack.
Transient episode of neurologic dysfunction caused by focal brain, spinal cord, or retinal ischemia without acute infarction
What is the most significant sequelae of TIA and how common is it?
10% of TIA patients will have an ischemic stroke within 90 days.
What test is used to determine the risk of stroke after a TIA and what does it predict?
ABCD2 score: predicts likelihood of subsequent stroke within 2 days of a TIA
What treatment is given to TIA patients to prevent a subsequent stroke
Anti-platelet therapy –> ASA + dipyridamole or clopidogrel monotherapy
Differentiate signs of stroke from Bell’s palsy.
Stroke: facial droop that is often forehead sparing with loss of smile line
Bell’s: loss of smile line, unable to raise eyebrows, smaller eye opening.
What is the pathophysiology of Bell’s palsy and what is the most common causative agent?
Sudden onset of unilateral facial nerve (CN VII) paralysis –> often caused by HSV
When do S/S of Bell’s palsy usually peak?
48 hours - often after a viral illness prodrome
What is essential in treatment of Bell’s palsy?
Prednisone plus lubricating eye drops and eye patch at bedtime –> inability to close eye can lead to corneal exposure keratitis.
In what patient population is idiopathic intracranial hypertension most common?
Young, obese female
What in a patient’s medical history places them at risk for idiopathic intracranial hypertension?
Vitamin A toxicity, use of steroids or tetracyclines
What S/S and lab findings are most commonly associated with idiopathic intracranial hypertension?
C/O HA and visual changes, papilledema and CN VI palsy on PE, inc opening pressure on LP.