Ch 11 Key Terms

Question 1

absence seizure

Answer 1

a sudden, temporary loss of mental awareness and physical activity lasting a few seconds to several minutes; also known as a petit mal seizure.

Question 2

altered mental status

Answer 2

a condition in which a person’s level of awareness or responsiveness has changed.

Question 3

aura

Answer 3

a subjective sensation that precedes a seizure.

Question 4

clonic activity

Answer 4

the spasmodic jerking of muscles during a seizure.

Question 5

coma

Answer 5

an abnormal loss of responsiveness during which the patient cannot be aroused by external stimuli.

Question 6

delirium

Answer 6

a state of mental confusion and/or excitement characterized by disorientation with respect to time and place; may be associated with delusions and hallucinations.

Question 7

dementia

Answer 7

a broad impairment of intellectual function (cognition) that usually is progressive and that interferes with normal social and occupational activities.

Question 8

diabetes mellitus

Answer 8

a term that refers to a complex group of syndromes having in common a disturbance in the use of glucose; a condition that is often a result of a malfunction of the beta cells of the pancreas, whose function is the production and release of insulin.

Question 9

generalized seizure

Answer 9

a seizure consisting of the sudden onset of unresponsiveness, tonic contraction of muscles, loss of postural control, and a cry caused by contraction of respiratory muscles that forces an exhalation; clonic contractions of muscles occur, followed by a period of somulence.

Question 10

glucagon

Answer 10

a hormone that stimulates the breakdown of glycogen, a storage form of glucose in the liver; is sometimes administered by injection to temporarily raise glucose levels in patients with symptomatic hypoglycemia.

Question 11

glucose

Answer 11

a simple sugar that is the end product of carbohydrate digestion in the body and the chief source of energy for most cells, especially neurons.

Question 12

glycogen

Answer 12

a stored form of glucose or carbohydrate that is made by the body; located primarily in liver or muscle.

Question 13

hyperglycemia

Answer 13

an excess of glucose in the blood; when severe, may be associated with confusion or changes in mental status.

Question 14

hypoglycemia

Answer 14

an insufficient amount of glucose in the blood; may be associated with a myriad of signs and symptoms such as tremor, diaphoresis, drowsiness, headache, confusion, and lack of responsiveness.

Question 15

insulin

Answer 15

a condition in which a person’s level of awareness or responsiveness has changed.

Question 16

polydipsia

Answer 16

excessive thirst and fluid intake.

Question 17

polyuria

Answer 17

excessive excretion of urine.

Question 18

tonic activity

Answer 18

a general stiffening of the muscles.