Neuro Flashcards
What are the characteristic vital signs of the Cushing Triad?
Why do we care?
Cushing Triad: widened pulse pressure, irregular respirations, bradycardia
We care because this pattern of vital signs is evdience of an impending brain herniation
What are the characteristics of Wallenburg Syndrome?
Wallenburg syndrome is caused by an infarct of the lateral medulla.
Signs and symptoms include:
vertigo, nystagmus, dizziness, nausea, vomiting (dt vestibular nuclei involvement)
ptosis, myosis (dt disruption in the descending sympathetic tract)
What are the signs and symptoms of a midbrain lesion?
Midbrain lesions present with disfunction of CN III
patient’s eye will be “down and out” with a dilated pupil.
May also present with contralateral ataxia or contralateral hemiplegia
What is the distruibution of the median nerve as it enters the rist
the median nerve innervates the volar aspect of the first 3.5 digits of the hand
What are the signs/symptoms of hyponatremia?
signs and symptoms of hyponatremia:
lethargy
headache
seizure
*look for patients with low sodium relative to their volume status (so they might not be losing sodium, they might be retaining water)
tetany
hyperreflexia
prolonged QT interval
what is the electrolyte imbalance?
hypomagnemesia presents with tetany, hyperreflexia, and a prolongation of the QT interval on ECG
What are the signs of a basilar artery occlusion?
A basilar artery occlusion leads to bilatreal pontine infarction.
Signs of this include:
inability to speak or swallow
quadriplegia
*eye movement, blinking, and consciousness are spared
What are risk factors for a hemorrhagic stroke?
Risk factors for hemorrhagic stroke include
AV malformations
Cocaine use
*If patients have suffered a hemorrhagic stroke pay close attention to their level of consciousness. If it decreases, this could be a sign of increasing ICP which requires surgical decompression
Signs and Symptoms of
Optic Neuritis
Optic Neuritis
loss of central vision
swollen optic disk
pain with eye movement
*history should include questions about MS
**Treatment is with high dose IV steroids (methylprednisolone)
What is Beck’s Syndrome?
Beck’s Syndrome = anterior spinal artery
bilaterall loss of pain an temperature with spastic paresis below the lesion
flaccid paralysis at the level of the lesion
What drug is used to treat the pain associated with
post herpetic neuralgia?
treat post herpetic neuralgia with
Tricyclic antidipressants (nortriptylene)
