VOCABULARY Flashcards
akinetic mutism
unresponsiveness to the environment; the pt makes no movement or sound but sometimes opens the eyes
altered level of consciousness (ALOC)
when a pt is not oriented, does not follow commands, or needs persistent stimuli to achieve a state of alertness
brain death
irreversible loss of all functions of the entire brain, incl the brain stem
coma
prolonged state of unconsciousness
craniectomy
a surgical procedure that involves removal of a portion of the skull
craniotomy
a surgical procedure that involves entry into the cranial vault
Cushing’s response
the brain’s attempt to restore blood flow by increasing arterial pressure to overcome the IICP (synonym: cushing’s reflex)
decerebration
an abnormal body posture associated w/ severe brain injury characterized by extreme extension of the upper and lower extremities
decortication
an abnormal posture associated w/ severe brain injury charachterized by abnormal flexion of the upper extremities and extension of the lower extremities
delirium
an acute confused state that begins w/ disorientation and if not recognized and treated early can progress to changes in LOC, irreversible brain damage, and sometimes death
dementia
broad term for a syndrome characterized by a general decline in higher brain functioning such as reasoning, w / a pattern of eventual decline in the ability to perform even basic activities of daily living such as toileting and eating
epilepsy
at least 2 unprovoked seizures occuring more than 24 hrs apart
herniation
abnormal protrusion of tissue through a defect or natural opening
ICP - intrancranial pressure
pressure exerted by the volume of the intracranial contents w/in the cranial vault
locked in syndrome
condition resulting from a lesion in the pons in which the pt lacks all distal motor activity (paralysis) but cognition is intact
migraine
severe, unrelenting HA often accompanied by s/s such as nausea, vomiting, and visual disturbances
minimally conscious state
a state in which the pt demonstrates awareness but cannot communicate thoughts or feelings
Monro-Kellie hypothesis
theory that states due to limited space for expansion w/in the skull, an increase in any one of the cranial contents (BRAIN TISSUE, BLOOD, CSF) causes a change in the volume of the others
persistent vegetative state
condition in which the pt is wakeful but devoid of conscious content, w/out cognitive or affective mental function
primary headache
a HA for which no specific organic cause can be found
pseudobulbar affect
emotional disturbance characterized by uncontrollable episodes of crying or laughing or other emotional displays
secondary headache
HA identified as a symptom of another organic disease (eg: brain, tumor, hypertension)
seizures
paroxysmal transient disturbance of the brain resulting from a discharge of abnormal electrical activity
status epilepticus
episode in which the pt experiences multiple seizures w/ no recovery time in between
Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP)
nontraumatic, nondrowning unexpected death of pt w/ epilepsy
transsphenoidal
surgical approach to the pituitary via the sphenoid sinuses
agnosia
loss of ability to recognize objects through a particular sensory system; may be visual, auditory, or tactile
aneurysm
a weakening or bulge in an arterial wall
aphasia
inability to express oneself or to understand language
apraxia
inability to perform previously learned purposeful motor acts on a voluntary basis
dysarthria
defects of articulation due to neurologic causes
dysphagia
difficulty swallowing
expressive aphasia
inability to express oneself; often associated w/ damage to the left frontal lobe area
hemianopsia
blindness of half of the field of vision in one or both eyes
hemiparesis
weakness of one side of the body , or part of it, due to an injury in the motor area of the brain
hemiplegia
paralysis of one side of the body, or part of it, due to an injury in the motor area of the brain
infarction
tissue necrosis in an area deprived of blood supply
pneumbra region
area of low cerebral blood flow
