4 - altered mental status and coma Flashcards Preview

Emerg > 4 - altered mental status and coma > Flashcards

Flashcards in 4 - altered mental status and coma Deck (11)
Loading flashcards...
1
Q

what is altered mental status

A

non-specific term referring to impaired responsivness

- life threatening emergency

2
Q

def. coma

A

sleep like state of unrousable unresponsiveness

3
Q

9 possible causes of coma

A
TIPS and AEIOU
Trauma/temp
Infection
Poisoning/psych
Space occupying lesion/ stroke
Alc/acidosis
Epilepsy
Insulin
Oxygen
Uremia
4
Q

initial aproach to coma

A

ABC
A - ETT,
B - O2 for all
C - maintain cerebral perfusion, IV access

5
Q

4 drugs to give

A
universal antidotes
DON'T
Dextrose
O2
Naloxone
Thiamine
6
Q

4 possible findings on vitals

A
  1. extreme hypotension - encephalopathy, brain hemmorage
  2. hypotension - the usual
  3. hyperthermia - heat stroke, drugs
  4. hypothermia - primary exposure or secondary
7
Q

3 parts of GCS

A
  1. eye opening 1-4
  2. verbal response 1-5
  3. motor respone 1-6
8
Q

parts of head and neck exam

A
  • examine for skin laceration
  • basal skull fracture
  • meningitis flex
9
Q

parts of general exam

A
  • feel the skin
  • smell breath
  • inspection
  • examine major organs
10
Q

when to do diagnostic testing

A

when have clinical clue of what might be happening

11
Q

what to do before lumbar puncture

A

assess ICP - otherwise herniation