Paramedic > Chapter 19 Neurologic Emergencies > Flashcards

Chapter 19 Neurologic Emergencies Flashcards

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1
Q

What is an abscess?

A

An area in the brain or spinal cord in which cells have been attacked, typically by an infectious agent. To prevent the spread of infection, the immune system ‘walls off’ the area; pus may then collect in this pocket.

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2
Q

What is Alzheimer disease?

A

A progressive, organic condition in which neurons in the brain die, causing dementia.

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3
Q

What is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)?

A

A condition 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; also known as Lou Gehrig disease.

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4
Q

What is anesthesia?

A

Lack of feeling within a body part.

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5
Q

What is anisocoria?

A

Unequal pupils with a greater than 1 mm difference.

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6
Q

What is ataxia?

A

Alteration in the ability to perform coordinated motions such as walking.

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7
Q

What is an aura?

A

Sensations commonly experienced before a seizure or migraine headache occurs; may include visual changes in addition to hallucinations.

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8
Q

What is Bell palsy?

A

A temporary paralysis of the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII), which controls the muscles on each side of the face.

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9
Q

What is bradykinesia?

A

The slowing down of voluntary body movements; found in patients with Parkinson disease.

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10
Q

What is clonic activity?

A

Type of seizure movement involving the contraction and relaxation of muscle groups.

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11
Q

What is a coma?

A

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

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12
Q

What is common reality?

A

Sensory stimulation that can be verified by others.

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13
Q

What is the corneal reflex?

A

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

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14
Q

What is decerebrate posturing?

A

Abnormal extension of the arms with rotation of the wrists along with the toes pointed; this finding indicates brainstem damage.

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15
Q

What is decorticate posturing?

A

Abnormal flexion of the arms toward the chest with the toes pointed; this finding indicates lower cerebral damage.

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16
Q

What are delusions?

A

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

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17
Q

What is dementia?

A

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

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18
Q

What is dysteria?

A

Contractions of body into bizarre positions.

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19
Q

What are endotoxins?

A

Toxins released by some bacteria when they die.

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20
Q

What are exotoxins?

A

Toxins secreted by living cells to aid in the death and digestion of other cells.

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21
Q

What is gait?

A

Patterns of walking or ambulating.

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22
Q

What is Guillain-Barré syndrome?

A

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 2 weeks.

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23
Q

What are hallucinations?

A

Sensory stimulation that cannot be verified by others.

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24
Q

What is hemiparesis?

A

Weakness of one side of the body.

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25
What is hemiplegia?
Paralysis of one side of the body.
26
What is a hemorrhagic stroke?
One of the two main types of stroke; occurs as a result of bleeding inside the brain.
27
What is herniation?
The movement of a structure from its normal location into another space.
28
What does idiopathic mean?
Of no known cause.
29
What is an intention tremor?
A tremor that occurs when trying to accomplish a task.
30
What is an ischemic stroke?
One of the two main types of stroke, also called an occlusive stroke; occurs when blood flow to a particular part of the brain is cut off by a blockage, such as a blood clot, within an artery.
31
What is the limbic system?
Structures within the cerebrum and diencephalon that influence emotions, motivation, mood, and sensations of pain and pleasure.
32
What is metastasis?
The process by which cells from a malignant neoplasm break away from the site of origin, such as the lung, and move through the bloodstream or lymphatic system to other body sites, such as the brain.
33
What is multiple sclerosis (MS)?
An autoimmune condition in which the body attacks the myelin that insulates the brain and spinal cord, causing scarring.
34
What is myasthenia gravis?
A condition in which the body generates antibodies against its own acetylcholine receptors, causing muscle weakness, often in the face.
35
What is myoclonus?
Involuntary jerking motions of the body.
36
What is a neoplasm?
A tumor.
37
What is nystagmus?
Involuntary, rhythmic shaking of the eyes.
38
What is paresthesia?
Sensation of tingling or numbness in a body part.
39
What is Parkinson disease?
A neurologic condition in which the portion of the brain responsible for production of dopamine has been damaged or overused, resulting in tremors.
40
What is peripheral neuropathy?
A group of conditions in which the nerves that exit the spinal cord are damaged, distorting signals to or from the brain. ## Footnote One type 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.
41
What is poliomyelitis?
A now-rare viral infection that attacks and destroys nerve axons, especially motor axons; the disease can cause weakness, paralysis, and respiratory arrest.
42
What does postictal refer to?
The period after a seizure in which the brain is reorganizing activity.
43
What is postpolio syndrome?
The death of nerve fibers as a late consequence of poliomyelitis; characterized by swallowing difficulties, weakness, fatigue, and breathing problems.
44
What is a postural tremor?
A tremor that occurs as the person holds a body part still.
45
What is posturing?
Abnormal body positioning that indicates damage to the brain.
46
What is a prodrome?
An early sign or symptom that occurs before a disease or condition fully appears. ## Footnote Example: dizziness before fainting.
47
What is pronation?
Rotation of the lower arms in a palms-down manner.
48
What is psychosis?
A condition characterized by breaking with common reality and existing mainly within an internal world.
49
What is ptosis?
Prolapse of a body part; often refers to drooping of the eyelid.
50
What is a rest tremor?
A tremor that occurs even when the patient's muscles are relaxed. ## Footnote Example: hands resting on the lap.
51
What is rigidity?
A condition in which muscles do not contract and relax smoothly, resulting in stiffness of motion; found in patients with Parkinson disease.
52
What is a seizure?
The sudden, erratic firing of neurons, a neurologic episode caused by a surge of electric activity in the brain. It can be a convulsion characterized by generalized, uncoordinated muscular activity, and may be associated with loss of consciousness.
53
What is status epilepticus?
A condition in which seizures recur every few minutes, or consecutive seizures occur without a return to consciousness between seizures.
54
What is a stroke?
An interruption of blood flow to the brain that results in the loss of brain function; also called a cerebrovascular accident.
55
What is syncope?
A fainting spell or transient loss of consciousness.
56
What is tonic activity?
A type of seizure movement involving the constant contraction and trembling of muscle groups.
57
What are transient ischemic attacks (TIAs)?
Disorder in which brain cells temporarily stop working because of insufficient oxygen, causing stroke-like symptoms that resolve completely within 24 hours of onset.
58
What are tremors?
Fine involuntary, rhythmic movements, usually involving the hands or head.
59
What is trismus?
The involuntary contraction of the mouth resulting in clenched teeth; occurs during seizures and head injuries.
60
What is uremia?
Severe renal failure resulting in the buildup of waste products within the blood; eventually impairs brain function.
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