Neurologic Review

Question 1

the brain is divided into 3 parts. What are they?

Answer 1

brainstem, the cerebellum, and the cerebrum.

Question 2

the brainstem controls…

Answer 2

the most basic functions of the body and vitals

Question 3

the cerebellum controls…

Answer 3

muscle and body coordination

Question 4

the cerebrum controls…

Answer 4

emotion, thought, sensation, movement, sight, speech

Question 5

messages sent to and from the brain travel though ____

Answer 5

nerves

Question 6

define a stroke

Answer 6

an interruption of blood flow to the brain that results in the loss of brain function

Question 7

two types of strokes are…

Answer 7

ischemic and hemorrhagic

Question 8

an ischemic stroke occurs when…

Answer 8

blood flow through the cerebral arteries is blocked

Question 9

two types of ischemic stroke are…

Answer 9

thrombotic (local) and embolic (traveled)

Question 10

a hemorrhagic stroke occurs when…

Answer 10

bleeding inside the brain itself

Question 11

what is a transient ischemic attack?

Answer 11

(TIA) a disorder in the brain in which brain cells temporarily stop functioning because of insufficient oxygen, causing stroke like symptoms that resolve in 24 hours.

Question 12

BE FAST stands for…

Answer 12

balance, eyes (loss of vision in one or both eyes), fascial droop, arms, speech, time

Question 13

outside of BE FAST, what are other symptoms of a stroke?

Answer 13

confusion, difficulty swallowing, decreased LOC, aphasia, and severe/sudden headache.

Question 14

what is aphasia?

Answer 14

a disorder that makes it difficult to speak, write, read, or understand.

Question 15

what conditions might mimic a stroke?

Answer 15

hypoglycemia, postictal state, subdural or epidural bleeding

Question 16

what is an epidural hematoma?

Answer 16

bleeding between the skill and dura mater

Question 17

symptoms of an epidural hematoma are…

Answer 17

immediate and severe following a trauma

Question 18

what is a subdural hematoma?

Answer 18

bleeding between the brain and dura mater

Question 19

symptoms of subdural hematoma are…

Answer 19

come days after injury

Question 20

what is an intracerebral hematoma?

Answer 20

bleeding within the brain itself

Question 21

symptoms of an intracerebral hematoma are…

Answer 21

immediate

Question 22

define a seizure

Answer 22

a neurologic episode caused by a surge of electrical activity in the brain

Question 23

what is epilepsy?

Answer 23

common cause of seizures, abnormal electrical discharges occurring in the brain

Question 24

what is a generalized seizure?

Answer 24

severe twitching of all the body’s muscles that may last several minutes or more.

Question 25

what is a focal seizure?

Answer 25

affecting a limited portion of the brain, may experience no LOC, numbness or dizziness, paralysis briefly.

Question 26

describe aura

Answer 26

a sensation experienced before a seizure; serves as a warning sign that a seizure is about to occur.

Question 27

seizures that last more than ___ minute are at risk for ____

Answer 27

5 minutes, status epilepticus

Question 28

status epilepticus is when...

Answer 28

seizures recur every few minutes or last longer than 30 minutes; life threatening!

Question 29

cushing's triad occurs when...

Answer 29

intracranial pressure (ICP), increased pressure on the brain

Question 30

cushing's triad is...

Answer 30

bradycardia, hypertension, irregular breathing

Question 31

the most effective way to reduce the chance of another seizure following on is...

Answer 31

high flow oxygen

Question 32

what is a febrile seizure?

Answer 32

a seizure caused by an acute fever spike, typically occur in children younger than 6 years old.

Question 33

if blood is coming from the nose and ears following a head trauma, how should that be managed?

Answer 33

Loosely cover the nose and ears with gauze, never try to stop the bleeding! Keeps contaminants out!

Question 34

what "vital sign" will provide you with the most information regarding the patient's condition following a head injury?

Answer 34

mental status

Question 35

define absence seizures

Answer 35

brief, staring spells that only last a few seconds

Question 36

define myoclonic seizures

Answer 36

brief and sudden, involuntary muscle jerks that can affect any part of the body

Question 37

define tonic seizure

Answer 37

stiffening of the muscles

Question 38

define clonic seizure

Answer 38

rhythmic jerking movements of the whole body.

Question 39

define tonic-clonic seizures

Answer 39

also known as grand mal seizures; loss of consciousness, stiffening of the body, followed by rhythmic jerking movements.

Question 40

what is hemiparesis?

Answer 40

condition causing weakness or paralysis of one side of the body

Question 41

what is decerebrate posturing?

Answer 41

abnormal body positioning that indicates a brainstem injury