Chapter 11: Altered Mental Status Flashcards
Absence Seizure
A sudden, temporary loss of mental awareness and physical activity lasting a few second to several minutes.
Petit mal
AMS
Altered Mental Status
A condition in which a person’s level of awareness or responsiveness has changed.
Aura
A subjective sensation that precedes a seizure
Clonic Activity
Spasmodic jerking of muscles during a seizure.
Coma
Abnormal loss or responsiveness during which the patient cannot be aroused by external stimuli
Delirium
A state of mental confusion or excitement characterized by disorientation with respect to time/place.
May be associated with delusions and hallucinations
Dementia
A braod impairment of intellectual function that usually is progressive and interferes with normal social and occupational activities
Diabetes Mellitus
A disease in which the body’s ability to produce or respond to the hormone insulin is impaired, resulting in abnormal metabolism of sugars causing elevated levels of glucose in the blood and urine.
Epilepsy
Disorder in which abnormal electrical discharges occur in the brain, causing seizure and possible loss of responsiveness
Generalized Seizure
Sizure 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.
Glucose
Simple sugar that is the porduct of carbohydrate digestion in the body and the chief source of energy in most cells
Hyperglycemia
Excess of glucose in the blood.
When sever, may associated with confusion or changes in mental status
Hypoglycemia
Insufficient glucose in blood.
Signs/symptoms are tremor, diaphoresis (excess sweating), drowsiness, headache, confusion, and lack of responsiveness
Insulin
Hormone produced in pancreas that regulates blood sugar levels
Polydipsia
Excessive thirst and fluid intake
