MKSAP: Neurology Flashcards
Tx for cluster headache?
- prednisone
- oxygen
When can do chronic daily headaches occur?
- they can occur when a pt with migranes or tension headaches take analgesics too frequently
- these migranes and tension headaches “transform”
5 Characteristics of toxic encephalopathy?
- Cognitive impairment
- Fluctuating lethargy
- Inattention
- Hallucinations
- Asterixis
3 features of Lewy Body dementia?
- Fluctuating cognition
- Parkinsonism
- Visual hallucinations
4 Characteristics of vascular dementia?
- History of vascular risk factors
- Abrupt onset with subsequent improvement
- Periventricular white matter ischemia on imaging
- Focal neurological findings on exam
What tx can help improve sx in a pt w/ mild/moderate Alzheimer’s?
-cholinesterase inhibitors can have a modest effect on cognition
What is the most common cause of fatal sporadic encephalitis in the US?
-herpes encephalitis
5 Ssx of herpes encephalitis?
- rapid development of:
1. Fever
2. Headache
3. Seizures
4. Focal neurologic signs
5. Impaired conciousness
Tx for hepatic encephalopathy?
-acyclovir
What should you think of as a cause of meningitis in a transplant pt? Tx?
- listeria
- penicillin
What 2 meds should be given to cover s. Pneumo and n. Meninigitis in empiric menigitis tx?
- Ceftriaxone
2. Vancomycin
What is “locked in” syndrome due to?
-lesion in the base of the pons usually from a pontine infarction due to a basilar artery occlusion
7 Ssx of vertebral artery stroke?
- Horner’s syndrome
- Dysarthria
- Dysphagia
- Decreased pain & temp
- Dysmetria
- Ataxia
- Vertigo
When should thrombolytic tx be started?
-must be started within 3 hrs of the onset of sx (or last time the pt was known to be well)
What is alteplase?
- thrombolytic agent that is a recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator
- must be given within 3 hrs of the onset of sx
