Patho Midterm Flashcards
What is the best way to monitor CBF?
Blood pressure! MAP 60-100mmHg if it's < 50 or > 150 you lose autoregulation > 50 = ischemia > 30 = cell death
What is a late sign of increased ICP
cushing’s triad
A pt presents w fluid dripping from ears and nose, redness/bruising behind the ear and around the eyes, what do you think could have caused this and what is it called? What are the names of the terms described?
An attack causing a basilar skull fracture. fluid from nose - rhinorrhea from ear - otorrhea bruising behind ear - battle's sign around eyes - raccoons eyes
What is coup contracoup?
when the brain bounces back against hard skull resulting in 2 place of injury. hitting head on dashboard, shaken baby syndrome, etc
Describe a contusion
bruising of brain tissue within focal area, usually death sentence if pt is on anticoag
A pt presents with LOC, decortication, and global cerebral edema. These clinical findings are disproportionate to CT scan findings. What do you suggest?
Diffuse axonal injury (DAI)
If a pt presents to the ER unconscious, then regains awareness but rapidly spirals back into unconscious state, what would you be thinking?
The pt is experiencing an epidural hematoma which is a neuro emergency! requires rapid sx intervention
What is the less severe hematoma and how does it present?
Subdural hematoma.
presents more slowly than epidural bc its venous.
most commonly in elderly and alcoholics
s/s of IICP
How can you differentiate between sensory/motor components of the spinal tract?
SAME DAVE
sensory afferent - motor efferent
dorsal afferent - ventral efferent
What is the difference between ascending and descending nervces?
Ascending are responsible for carrying sensory info to higher level processing centers of CNS while descending are responsible for carrying motor impulses for muscle movement
A pt arrives at the ED with a spinal cord injury. The mother frantically asks if this is permanent. What is the best response?
We can’t be sure for 72hrs d/t the possibility of secondary injury
Spinal shock
TEMPORARY decrease in sensation and reflexes.
Pt is in active rehab.
Incontinence, erection, muscle spasms, etc may occur when reflexes begin to return.
Neurogenic shock
LIFE THREATENING EMERGENCY
s/s hypotension and bradycardia!!
massive vasodilation without compensation
generally seen in higher level injuries
What are the two different ways of describing the level of a spinal cord injury
skeletal which refers to where the bone is actually injured
neurologic which refers to the lowest level where everything is normal in the body!
What is Cauda equina syndrome
deals with disc herniation and bowl/bladder dysfunction not being tx’d promptly
A pt is recovering from spinal shock and hasn’t voided in quite some time. They’re suddenly c/o a throbbing HA. What are you thinking?
That they’re experiencing autonomic dysreflexia which is life threatening. First thing is to take BP.
This is a massive uncompensated CV reaction after reflexes return from SS in response to visceral stimulation
What theory focuses on the here and now vs the past and unconscious
sullivan’s interpersonal theory
What needs must be met first according to the humanistic theory
according to maslow, the physiological needs must be met before moving on
Where is Broca’s area located?
frontal lobe
Where is Wernike’s area located
L temporal lobe
A pt presents w deficits in emotional/impulse control, language, and can’t seem to remember any new information. What area of the brain would you expect to find an injury?
Frontal lobe
A pt presents w the inability to locate/identify their own body parts. What area of the brain would you expect to find an injury?
parietal lobe
A pt looks in the mirror and is frightened by what they see. You ask what’s wrong, to which they ask you to repeat yourself in a fragmented/jumbled fashion. What area of the brain would you expect to find an injury?
inability to recognize familiar faces, hearing loss, and language issues are indications of temporal lobe injury
A pt presents w visual field deficits and can’t identify simple colors or objects. What area of the brain would you expect to find an injury?
Occipital lobe
A pt presents w dysphagia, and a disruption in a whole slew of other basic functions. Where would you expect to find an injury?
brain stem
A pt presents w an unsteady gait and generalized weakness. What area of the brain would you expect to find an injury?
Cerebellum