Exam 4 (Critical neuro, organ transplants, and pituitary/adrenal) Flashcards
(108 cards)
TTrue or false
Transient ischemic attacks (TIA) or a reversible ischemic neurologic deficit (RIND) may be warning signs of impending ischemic stroke.
True
TIA vs. RIND
**Both warning signs cause transient focal neurologic dysfunction resulting from a brief interruption in cerebral blood flow from cerebral vasospasm or arterial hypertension.
• A TIA lasts a few minutes to less than 24 hours and RIND lasts longer than 24 hours.
• Both TIAs and RINDs may damage the brain tissue with repeated insults.
True or false
A stroke is caused by a change in the normal blood supply to the brain.
True
True or false
Like that of many health problems, the causes of stroke are likely a combination of genetic and environmental risk factors.
True
Describe an occlusive stroke
In an occlusive stroke, arterial blockage or narrowing cause ischemia in the brain tissue ultimately leading to infarction of neurons in the involved area of the brain.
True or false
Most strokes are ischemic, caused by the occlusion of a cerebral artery by either a thrombus or an embolus.
True
Describe a hemmorhagic stroke
Hemorrhagic stroke involves bleeding within or around the brain.
• Intracerebral hemorrhage describes bleeding into the brain tissue generally resulting from severe hypertension.
True or false
Document the history of the stroke’s onset, as ischemic strokes often occur during sleep, whereas hemorrhagic strokes tend to occur during activity.
True
True or false
For patients having occlusive strokes, the standard of practice is to start two IV lines with nondextrose, isotonic saline.
False,
For patients having ischemic strokes, the standard of practice is to start two IV lines with nondextrose, isotonic saline.
What are two main treatments for patients with an acute ischemic stroke
The two major treatment modalities for patients with acute ischemic stroke include fibrinolytic therapy and endovascular interventions.
What is the most important factor in deciding to give rtPA?
The most important factor in whether or not to give rtPA is the time last seen normal (LSN).
- **The standard window for eligibility is 3 hours from time LSN.
- **In 2009, the American Stroke Association recommended an expanded time interval from 3 to 4.5 hours for patients unless they fall into the categories of age older than 80, anticoagulation with an international normalized ratio less than or equal to 1.7, baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale greater than 25, or history of both stroke and diabetes.
What is an aneurysm?
- An aneurysm is an abnormal ballooning or blister along a normal artery.
- A congenital aneurysm is a defect in the media and elastica of the vessel wall.
- A dissecting aneurysm may occur following trauma or from plaque formation.
Diagnosing a stroke
- Clinical history and presentation usually are sufficient to diagnose a stroke.
- Computed tomography and angiography assist in the differential diagnosis.
True or false
Patients are most at risk for the serious complication of increased ICP resulting from edema during the first 72 hours after onset of the stroke.
True
Traumatic brain injury: open vs closed
- Primary brain damage occurs at the time of injury and results from the physical stress within the brain tissue caused by open or closed trauma.
- Open head injury occurs with a skull fracture or piercing by a penetrating object.
- A closed head injury is the result of blunt trauma, is more serious, and the damage to brain tissue depends on the degree and mechanisms of injury.
What are common signs of a TBI
The most common responses are hypotension, hypoxia, ischemia, and edema.
True or false
Increased ICP is the leading cause of death in patients hospitalized with brain injury.
True
What is cushings triad?
Cushing’s triad, a classic yet late sign of increased ICP, is manifested by severe hypertension with a widened pulse pressure and bradycardia.
What is uncal herniation?
Uncal herniation, shifting of one or both areas of the temporal lobe, is one of the most clinically significant changes because it is life threatening.
Brain abcess
A brain abscess is a purulent infection of the brain in which pus forms in the extradural, subdural, or intracerebral area of the brain most often from bacteria.
• The clinical manifestations of a brain abscess begin slowly and may include headache, fever, and neurologic deficits or nonspecific signs and symptoms.
• Computed tomography scanning determines the presence of cerebritis, hydrocephalus, or a midline shift.
• Magnetic resonance imaging detects the presence of an abscess early in the course.
• An EEG can localize the lesion in most cases, and high-voltage, slow-wave activity or electrocerebral silence may be noted in the area of the abscess.
• The mainstay of management for patients with brain abscess is systemic antibiotic therapy.
What is the first sign of ICP?
Be aware that the first sign of increased ICP is a decrease in level of consciousness.
Functions of the brainstem
The brainstem controls functions such as breathing, blood pressure, body temperature, heart rhythms, hunger and thirst, and sleep patterns. It connects the forebrain and the cerebellum with the spinal cord. All the nerve fibers leaving the brain to go to the limbs and trunk of the body pass through here.
How does the blood leave the brain if it doesn’t have a venous system ?
-Dural sinuses in the brain, blood just drains down through them into the jugular veins and into the rest of the body
Veins in the head are very thin and only can drain small amounts of blood
True or false
When people get a head injury they bleed so easliy because those venous wallls are so thin and the blood drains slower
True