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
