Pt who is dizzy Flashcards
It is important to ask a patient if their dizziness is
other ?s
constant or motion induces
easing, worsening
other symptoms
intensity, frequency, duration
Symptoms of ______ tend to
indicate a peripheral pathology
short duration
______ symptoms tend to indicate a central pathology
constant
Find out if any of the following affect their symptoms 7
changes in position, the valsalva
maneuver, head rotation, tracking moving targets, changes in temperature or the weather,
driving or moving down an aisle
An accurate ______ will often provide all the information that is needed to make a
diagnosis of the source of a patient’s dizziness
history
The first question
it is important to start with an
describe what you are experiencing addresses the character of the
dizziness
open ended question
True vertigo is a
- problem
vestibular
A slight dizziness or imbalance not related to head position or activity
Dysequilibrium
Vertigo
illusionary sense of motion or rotation
Dizziness of a second or less is most likely the result of
of disequilibrium due to an
imbalance in the peripheral vestibular inputs
Function of a normal labyrinth
damaged
sends signals about
head position to ocular muscles for visual fixation during movement
sends only a fraction
Vertigo usually only persists _______ but
disequilibrium may continue ____
for 48 – 72 hours
until central vestibular compensation is complete
Causes of immediate-duration vertigo
Meniere’s disease, panic attacks, migraine
Causes of short-duration vertigo (conditions)
BPPV, orthostatic hypotension, VBI, SSCD, or perilymph fistula
Causes of Long duration vertigo
trauma, post-surgery, viral infection
Otologic symptoms include
neurologic symptoms
tinnitus, hearing loss, aural fullness, otalgia, otorrhea
tremors, dysphonia
Motor and/or sensory signs that
accompanying the dizziness are considered
red flags
People with psychological dizziness frequently report being dizzy when
on a continuous basis
Drugs that are ototoxic affect the
peripheral vestibular system
This group of antibiotics is the
most common cause of irreversible ototoxicity and most common cause of bilateral
vestibular dysfunction.
Aminoglycosides antibiotics
Examples of ototoxic drugs
loop diuretics (Lasix), vancomycin (currently used to
treat MRSA), anti-neoplastics, NSAID’s (aspirin – tinnitus – reversible), tetanus antitoxin,
erythromycin (rare and reversible)
It is most useful for treating mild to moderate episodes of vertigo and for
prevention of motion sickness
Diphenhydramine Hydrocholride (Benadryl)
Most useful in preventing nausea and vomiting associated with motion
sickness
Scopolamine
It is effective for treating mild to moderate episodes
of vertigo and for suppressing motion sickness
Meclizine (antivert)