stroke

Question 1

what causes a stroke?

Answer 1

reduced blood and oxygen supply to the brain

Question 2

what two problems that cause a reduced blood supply cause a stroke?

Answer 2

cerebral infarction- by atherosclerosis or embolic 90%

cerebral haemorrhage- by intracranial haemorrhage or subarachnoid haemorrhage 10%

Question 3

what happens in a subarachnoid haemorrhage?

Answer 3

blood gets into the subarachnoid space

Question 4

what are the symptoms of subarachnoid haemorrhage?

Answer 4

-severe sudden headache - thunderclap
-neck stiffness - photophobia
-vomiting
-impaired consciousness

Question 5

how would you diagnose subarachnoid haemorrhage ?

Answer 5

ct scan
angiography to identify aneurysms

Question 6

what happens with an intracranial haemorrhage ?

Answer 6

causes direct bleeding into brain tissue

Question 7

what are the symptoms of an intracranial haemorrhage?

Answer 7

headache
nausea
vomiting

Question 8

what is associated with an intracranial bleed?

Answer 8

hypertension

Question 9

what are the two types of cerebral infarction?

Answer 9

transient ischemic attack- symptoms resolve in 24 hrs- urgent medical care needed to reduce chance of progression to permanent stroke

completed stroke - results in neurological deficit

Question 10

what effects does a stroke cause?

Answer 10

it depends on which part of the brain is affected

Question 11

what does FAST stand for?

Answer 11

face
arms
speech
time

Question 12

is cerebral infarction a medical emergency?

Answer 12

yes

Question 13

what is the treatment of cerebral infarction?

Answer 13

-long term anti-platelet e.g aspirin, clopidogrel
-anticoagulants if atrial fibrillation
-manage other risk factors
-rehabilitation- regain function

Question 14

how would you investigate a stroke?

Answer 14

ct scan

Question 15

why would a nasogastric tube be used in stroke patients? is this short term or long term?

Answer 15

to aid swallowing- as this may become impaired with a stroke

Question 16

is PEG a short or long term method post stroke?

Answer 16

long term

Question 17

give examples of stroke rehabilitation

Answer 17

speech therapy
physiotherapy
occupational therapy
dietitian
social workers

Question 18

what is generalised peripheral neuropathy?

Answer 18

glove and stocking syndrome

Question 19

what is a cause of glove and stocking syndrome?

Answer 19

diabetes mellitus

Question 20

what causes bells palsy?

Answer 20

lower motor neurone palsy of facial nerve

Question 21

is bells palsy viral or bacterial?

Answer 21

normally viral

Question 22

what Is the treatment for bells palsy?

Answer 22

steroids
tape eye closed at night to prevent cornea damage

Question 23

how can you tell the difference between bells palsy and a stroke?

Answer 23

bells palsy-lower motor neuron
-lesion of facial nerve affects whole side of face

strokke- upper motor neuron
-supranuclear lesion in brain affects bottom part of face