Module 2 Flashcards
(145 cards)
all meningitis has
increased WBC in CSF, symptoms of meningeal irritation
most cases of infectious meningitis caused by
virus
most common virus to cause meningitis
enterovirus
higher incidence of meningitis in
spring and fall
signs, symptoms of meningitis
fever, headache, and stiff neck, usually accompanied by vomiting, lethargy, confusion, seizures, or coma
Brudzinski’s sign
(hip and knee flexion when the neck is flexed), positive with meningitis
Kernig’s sign
(inability to fully extend the legs) positive with meningitis
A computed tomography (CT) examination of the head should be performed before LP in cases of
an abnormal neurologic examination (alteration of consciousness, focal findings, papilledema) to assess risk for herniation with LP.
early sign of hydrocephalus
drowsiness, headache, double vision (from cranial nerve six palsy), and confusion.
later sign of hydrocephalus
decreasing levels of consciousness; hemiparesis; pupillary changes; and Cushing’s triad of hypertension, bradycardia, and respiratory changes.
most common causes of encephalitis
virus
neurologic signs and symptoms of encephalitis are usually preceded by
other signs of viral infection, such as fever, malaise, muscle aches, rashes, gastrointestinal disturbances, or respiratory symptoms.
pt presentation encephalitis
confusion, altered LOC, meningitis symptoms
risk of shingles increases
with age
Varicella-zoster virus is most often found in the
sensory ganglia of the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve and in the dorsal root ganglia of the mid to lower spinal cord
shingles symptoms
pain along dermatome 48-72 hours before eruption of classic rash (vesicular, starts as erythema, changes to popular lesions that rapidly form vesicles, develop for 3-5 days)
hutchinson sign
Ocular involvement is more common in patients who have concurrent lesions at the tip of the nose (shingles)
shingles tx
antiviral, steroids, calamine, tight wrap
post herpetic neuralgia
persistent pain resulting from shingles that lasts more than 3 months after the disease has run its course. PHN rarely occurs in individuals younger than age 40, is more severe in individuals older than age 50
trigeminal neuralgia
excruciating facial pain that usually lasts 3 seconds, disabling, on cranial nerve V. stimulated by triggers
more frequent in women, risk increase with age
trigeminal neuralgia tx
carbamazepine or gabapentin, TCA
TENS, ablation
bell’s palsy
an idiopathic cranial nerve seven palsy causing lower motor neuron facial paralysis, typically occurring on one side of the face
self limiting, complete recovery in weeks- months
Bell’s phenomenon
(the eyeball turns upward when the patient tries to close the eyelid)
bell’s palsy tx
steroids within first few days of symptom onset
protect eye, esp during sleep