Syncope, Vertigo and Altered Mental Status (AMS) Flashcards
what is the presentation of increased arousal
hypervigilant, agitated
what is the presentation of decreased arounsal
lethargic, stuporous, comatose
what is the presentation of decreased cognition
confusion, amnesia, hallucinations, detachment from reality
define hyper alter
increased arousal with increased sensitivity to surroundings
define confused
disoriented, bewildered, difficulty following commands
define delirous
disoriented, restless, hallucinating, may be delusional
acute onset - usually reversible
defne somnolent
sleepy, response to stimuli with incoherent mumbles
define lethargic
reduced level of alertness, decreased interest in surroundings
define obtunded
like lethargy but more so. slowed response to stimulation, sleeps more than normal, drowsy between sleep episodes
define stuprous
profoundly reduced alterness, requres continued novious stimuli for arousal
define comatose
state of deep, unarousable, unconsciousness
what is the presentation of dementia
slow onset, progressive, degenerative
what is the presentation of psychosis
sudden onset, need to rule out organic causes
what are the initial actions for AMS
look for reversible causes and address ASAP
Dextrose - POC glucose
Oxygen - pulse ox
Narcan - check pupils
Thiamine - ETOH?
what is one of the first tests that are run on patients who present with AMS
CT head
what is the vestibular system
complex arrangement of bones and cartilage in the ear, network of semicircular canals filled with fluid. fluid position changes with movement, sensor in ears sends info to brain to contribute to balance