Neuro Exam

Question 1

Seizure

Answer 1

Episode of excessive and abnormal electrical activity of all or part of the brain

Question 2

What can cause a seizure?

Answer 2

Acute febrile state, head injury, infection, metabolic or endocrine disorders, MVA, or exposure to toxins

Question 3

What is an acute febrile state?

Answer 3

High fever that results in a seizure that is typically seen in children

Question 4

What are the types of neurotransmitters?

Answer 4

GABA, Epinephrine, Norepinephrine, Serotonin, and Dopamine

Question 5

Status Epilecticus

Answer 5

Life threatening condition, “prolonged seizure”, seizure activity that occurs for over 30 minutes, continuous tonic clonic movements, preferred medication is Valium

Question 6

What are the risk factors for a spinal cord injury

Answer 6

Young age, more prevalent in males, alcohol usage, MVA, and drug abuse

Question 7

Prevention of a SCI

Answer 7

MVA, sports injury prevention

Question 8

Primary Injury

Answer 8

Generally permanent and cannot be changed, result of the initial trauma, disruption of the axon as a result of a laceration that occurs

Question 9

Secondary Injury

Answer 9

Ongoing progressive damage that can take place after inital injury occurs as a result of hypoxia, hemorrhage, swelling, or ischemia. This can be reversible during the first four to six hours. Treatment is really crucial to prevent this

Question 10

Pharmacological treatments for SCI

Answer 10

Larger doses of steroids such as methylprednisone or solumedrol to help decrease swelling to the area

Question 11

Skeletal Level Injury

Answer 11

Looking at the sensory level at the level of the vertebrae, injury is the vertebral level where there is most damage to vertebral bones and ligaments

Question 12

Neurological Level Injury

Answer 12

Looking at the muscle function and strength, sensation, and motor function. Lowest segment of spinal cord with normal sensory and motor function on both sides of the body. Looking at what nerve damage has been done

Question 13

Complete Injury

Answer 13

No sensory or motor function is present

Question 14

Incomplete Injury

Answer 14

Sensory function is present but no motor function

Question 15

Central Cord Syndrome

Answer 15

Central spinal cord damage, motor deficits in upper extremities, sensory loss may vary but is more prevalent in the upper extremities caused by edema of the spinal cord

Question 16

Anterior Cord Syndrome

Answer 16

Relation to a disc herniation, fractured or dislocated vertebrae, spinal artery can be compressed which supplies anterior portion of the SC, loss of pain and temperature, along with motor function below the level of lesion. Can have some sensation like touch or vibration and positioning capabilities.

Question 17

Brown- Sequard Syndrome

Answer 17

Half of spinal cord is affected, knife injury, fracture or dislocation, or acute ruptured disc. Ipsilateral paralysis, loss of voluntary movement on one side of the body and loss of pain and temperature on the opposite side