CH. 18 NEUROLOGIC EMERGENCIES Flashcards by Nicholas de Guzman

an area in the brain or spinal cord in which cells have been attacked, typically by an infectious agent. The immune system erects a wall to prevent spread of infection, creating a pus filled pocket within the nervous system tissue

abscess

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endocrine glands located on top of the kidneys that release adrenalin when stimulated by the sympathetic nervous system

adrenal glands

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nerves that send information to the brain

afferent nerves

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inability to connect an object with its correct name

agnosia

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a progressive organic condition in which neurons in the brain die causing dementia

alzheimer disease

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aka lou gehrig disease that strikes the voluntary motor neurons causing their death. The disease is characterized by fatigue and general weakness of muscle groups; eventually the patient becomes unable to walk, eat or speak

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

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lack of feeling within a body part

anesthesia

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unequal pupils within a greater than 1 mm difference

anisocoria

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inability to connect an object with its proper use

apraxia

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alteration in the ability to perform coordinated motions like walking

ataxia

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sensations experienced before an attack occurs. Common in seizures and migraine headaches

aura

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evaluation tool used to determine a patient’s level of conciousness

AVPU

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the long slender filament projecting from a nerve cell that conducts impulses to adjacent cells

axon

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a temporary paralysis of the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII) which controls the muscles of each side of the face

Bell Palsy

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the slowing down of the voluntary body movements and found in Parkinson’s disease

bradykinesia

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the area of the brain between the spinal cord and the cerebrum surrounded by the cerebellum and controls the functions that are necessary to sustain life like respiration

brainstem

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the brain and spinal cord

central nervous system

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the region of the brain essential in coordinating muscle movement

cerebellum

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a developmental condition in which damage is done to the brain. It presents during infancy as a delay in walking or crawling and can take on a spastic form in which muscles are in a nearly constant state of contraction

cerebral palsy (CP)

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type of seizure movement involving the contraction and relaxation of muscle groups

clonic activity

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a state in which a person does not respond to verbal or painful stimuli

coma

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sensory stimulation that can be verified by others

common reality

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corneal reflex

a protective movement that results in blinking, moving the head posteriorly and pupillary constriction

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the two identical cells produced when a parent cell divides by mitosis

daughter cells

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abnormal extension of the arms with rotation of the wrists along with toe pointing. This indicates brainstem damage

decerebrate posturing

abnormal flexion of the arms toward the chest with the toes pointed. It indicates lower cerebral damage

decorticate posturing

movement of the nerves form one side of the brain to the opposite side of the body

decussation

thoughts, ideas, or perceived abilities that have no basis in common reality

delusions

the slow, progressive onset of disorientation, shortened attention span, and loss of cognitive function

dementia

the part of the brain that lies between the brainstem and the cerebrum and includes the thalamus and hypothalamus

diencephalon

contractions of body into bizarre positions

dystonia

nerves that leave the brain through the peripheral nervous system and convey commands to other parts of the body

efferent nerves

a toxin released by some bacteria when they die

endotoxin

a toxin secreted by living cells to aid in the death and digestion of other cells

exotoxin

damage or loss in the ability to speak

expressive aphasia

walking or ambulating

gait

evaluation tool used to determine level of consciousness and effective in determining patient outcomes

GCS scale

damage or loss of both the ability to speak and understand speech

global aphasia

a rare condition that begins as a sensation of weakness and tingling in the legs moving to the arms and thorax; the disorder can lead to paralysis within two weeks

Guillain Barre Syndrome

sensory stimulation that cannot be verified by others

hallucinations

weakness to one side of the body

hemiparesis

paralysis to one side of the body

hemiplegia

one of the two main types of stroke and occurs as a result of bleeding inside the brain

hemorrhagic

compromising the most inferior portion of the diencephalon, the hypothalamus controls many essential functions, including pulse rate, digestion, sexual development, temperature regulation, hunger, thirst, and sleep wake cycle

hypothalamus

of no known cause

idiopathic

the number of people in a given population like the US and are newly diagnosed with a particular disease or disorder in a specified 1 yr period

incidence

a tremor that occurs when trying to accomplish a task

intention tremor

one of the two main types of stroke and sometimes called an occlusive stoke; occurs when blood flow to a particular part of the brain is cut off by a blockage like an occlusion within an artery

ischemic

the wave like movement of a seizure from a point of focus to other areas of the brain

Jacksonian march

structures within the cerebrum and diencephalon that influence emotions, motivation, mood, and sensations of pain and pleasure

limbic system

the inferior portion of the midbrain which serves as the conduction pathway for ascending and descending nerve tracts

medulla oblongata

the process by which cells from a malignant neoplasm break away from their site of origin such as the lung and move through the bloodstream or lymphatic system to other body sites such as the brain

metastasis

the part of the brain responsible for helping to regulate level of consciousness

midbrain

an autoimmune condition in which the body attacks the myelin that insulates the brain and spinal cord causing scarring

multiple sclerosis (MS)

a change in the sequence of a cell's DNA that damages the cell's structure or impedes its ability to function

mutation

a condition in which the body generates antibodies against its own ACh receptor, causing muscle weakness and often in the face

myasthenia gravis

an insulating sheath that envelops certain types of neurons, allowing the cells to transmit electricity along their axons without dissipation of the signal as it moves through surrounding fluids and tissues

myelin

jerking motions of the body

myoclonus

a tumor

neoplasm

a chemical produced by the body that stimulates electrical reactions in adjacent neurons

neurotransmitter

the rhythmic shaking of the eyes

nystagmus

sensation of tingling, numbness, or pins and needles in a body part

paresthesia

a neurologic condition in which the portion of the brain responsible for production of dopamine has been damaged or overused resulting in tremors

Parkinson Disease

the part of the nervous system that consists of 31 pairs of spinal nerves and 12 pairs of cranial nerves. These nerves may be sensory, motor, or connecting nerves

peripheral nervous system (PNS)

a group of conditions in which the nerves that exit the spinal cord are damaged; distorting signals to and from the brain. One type of peripheral neuropathy is caused by diabetes; peripheral nerves are damaged as the blood glucose level rises resulting in lack of sensation, numbness, burning, pain, paresthesia, and muscle weakness

peripheral neuropathy

the gland that secretes hormones that regulate the function of many other glands in the body also called the hypophysis

pituitary gland

a viral infection that attacks and destroys nerve axons, like motor axons. The disease can cause weakness, paralysis, and respiratory arrest. Because an effective vaccine has been developed, the incidence of the disease is now rare

poliomyelitis

the portion of the brainstem that lies below the midbrain and contains nerve fibers that affect sleep and respiration

pons

the period of time after a seizure in which the brain is reorganizing activity

postictal

the death of nerve fibers as a late consequence of polio; the syndrome is characterized by swallowing difficulties, weakness, fatigue, and breathing problems

postpolio syndrome

a tremor that occurs as the person holds a body part still

postural tremor

abnormal body positioning that indicates damage to the brain

posturing

the total number of people in a given population who have a particular disease

prevalence

the early signs and symptoms that occur before a disease or condition fully appears like dizziness before fainting

prodromal/prodrome

turning of the lower arms in a palm downward manner

pronation

breaking with a common reality and existing mainly within an internal world

psychosis

prolapse of a body part; often refers to a drooping of the eyelid

ptosis

damage to or loss of the ability to understand speech

receptive aphasia

a tremor that occurs when the body part is not in motion

rest tremor

stiffness or hardness (in motion). Found in patients with parkinson' disease

rigidity

a developmental anomaly in which a portion of the spinal cord or meninges protrudes outside the spinal column or even outside the body, usually in the area of the lumbar spine (the lower third of the spine)

spina bifida

a condition in which seizures recur every few minutes or in which seizure activity lasts more than 30 minutes

status epilepticus

a small notch located on the frontal bone near the inner upper area of each orbit

supraorbital foramen

gaps between nerve cells, across which nervous stimuli are transmitted

synapses

a fainting spell or transient loss of conciousness

syncope

a type of seizure movement involving the constant contraction and trembling o muscle groups

tonic activity

a disorder in which brain cells temporarily stop working because of insufficient oxygen causing stroke like symptoms that resolve completely within the 24 hours of onset

transient ischemic attack (TIA)

fine involuntarily, rhythmic movements, usually involving the hands or head

tremors

the involuntary contraction of the mouth resulting in clenched teeth. Occurs during seizures and head injuries

trismus

severe renal failure resulting in the buildup of waste products within the blood. Eventually brain functions will be impaired

uremia

CH. 18 NEUROLOGIC EMERGENCIES Flashcards

(90 cards)