Nuerological Emergencies Flashcards
Name the three major parts of the brain.
Brain stem: Breathing
Cerebrum: Thought
Cerebellum: Muscles
Neurological complications will result with significant changes in levels of:
Blood glucose, O2 levels, temperature
What is the most common type of headache? What causes them?
Tension headache.
Muscle tension in the neck due to stress
A 9 year old is showing symptoms of ALOC and is not interacting normally with their family. There is lip smacking that comes then goes away. These S/S are a result of what condition?
Focal Onset Impaired Awareness Seizure
A 37 year old complains of a headache and fever. The patient is alert and oriented, skin is normal, RR IS 18, HR is 80 and BP 132/82 and the SPo2 is 98%. During your secondary assessment you find the patient is also complaining of a stiff neck and sensitivity to light. What is the most likely cause of these S/S? Describe your continued assessment and treatment for this patient.
Meningitus
Apply surgical mask to patient
Apply N95 Respirator to myself
Rapid transport to hospital with infectious disease department
What is the most common type of stroke? How does it occur?
Ischemic stroke (87% of the population)
Blood clot reducing blood flow to the brain (Embolus)
Describe what happens to a patient who experiences a TIA?
Patient will exhibit the same signs and symptoms of a stroke, but they will usually clear fully within 24 hours. Off speech patterns, loss of motor skills, confusion, irritation, etc.
A patient who suffers a stroke in the left hemisphere of the brain may experience a speech disorder called:
Aphasia
What is the difference between a focal-onset aware seizure and a focal-onset impaired awareness seizure?
Onset aware patients are fully aware of their surroundings with no change to LOC.
Impaired-awareness have ALOC and do not interact normally.
A 32 year old patient is semi-conscious and incontinent. The patient has tachypnea with deep breathing and is regaining consciousness slowly. The current symptoms are MOST likely caused by what condition? What is the cause of their rapid breathing?
Postictal State
Breathing becomes labored to compensate for the buildup of acids in the blood stream
A 43 year old is lying in bed and complains of a sudden and severe headache. The patient has slurred speech, has vomit on their shirt and is not able to answer most of your questions. The RR is 20, HR is 66, BP is 188/96, and the SPo2 is 95%. These S/S are commonly seen in what condition? What is your treatment for this patient?
Hemorrhagic Stroke.
Check ABCs and consider supplying supplemental O2 if the patient becomes hypoxic.
Rapid Transport patient to a stroke center while checking vitals every 5 minutes
You decide to perform a Cincinnati Stroke Scale on a patient. Describe how you explain to your patient on how to perform the arm drift procedure.
Ask the patient to extend both arms fully in front of them with the palms facing upward. Ask them to close their eyes as you count down.
You are assessing a 39 year old patient who is actively seizing. Coworkers state the patient has been seizing on and off for over 10 minutes and has not regained consciousness. Your treatment for this patient should include what? What is your working diagnosis for this patient?
Status epilepticus
Call for ALS. Restrain the patient from self-harm. Attempt to check patients ABCs. Administer high flow O2 using a NRM and check patients SPo2 levels. Obtain Blood glucose levels to rule out hypoglycemia as a cause of the seizure.
Rapid transport to a hospital, preferably one with a neuro center.
Febrile seizures are common in what segment of the population?
Children between 6 months to 5 years old
What is the most appropriate initial question to ask the family of a patient showing S/S of a stroke?
When was the last time you saw the patient in a normal and symptom free state?
