Neurological Disorders

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to neurological disorders from the lecture.

Central Nervous System

The brain and the spinal cord.

Peripheral Nervous System

Spinal nerves, cranial nerves, and autonomic nervous system.

Tension Headache Origin

Often originates from muscle fibers due to stress.

Headache Origins

Muscle fibers, meninges, facial structure, blood vessels, cranial or spinal nerves.

Headache Variations

Vary in intensity, duration, frequency, and location.

Primary Headaches

Migraines, cluster, and tension-type headaches.

Secondary Headaches

Headaches secondary to trauma, infection, intracranial disorders, and psychiatric reasons.

Tension-Type Headache Etiology

Usually due to stress, posture, and depression.

Cluster Headache Etiology

Believed to be caused by stress, allergens, environmental factors, medications, and smoking.

Migraine Genetics

Can be genetic; family history is a risk factor.

Secondary Headaches Cause

Due to underlying causes, like menstrual headaches.

Headache Physiological Impact

Causes pain.

Headache Psychosocial Impact

Can cause psychological distress.

Headache Social Impact

Limits activities due to triggers or pain.

Tension-Type Headache

Presents with a band-like headache across the forehead.

Migraine Aura

Visual disturbances like flashing lights that signal an oncoming migraine.

Migraine Phases

Prodromal Phase, Aura (sometimes), Headache, Postdrome (recovery).

Migraine Postdrome Phase

Patient feels wiped out and tired after the headache.

Secondary Headache Presentation

Depends on the underlying problem causing the headache.

Role of the Nurse (Headaches)

Consider environment, individual factors, safety concerns, and patient education.

Glasgow Coma Scale

Used in assessments of headaches and seizure disorders.

Cluster Headaches Intensity

Extremely painful and intense with high suicide rates.

Seizure

Abnormal and unregulated brain impulses.

Epilepsy

Acute or chronic seizure disorder.

Seizure Categories

Generalized, focal, unknown, motor, and non-motor.

Seizure Disorder Causes

Structural, genetic, infectious, metabolic, immune, unknown.

Epilepsy Psychosocial Impact

Impacts driving, career options, and overall independence.

Seizure Stages

Prodromal, early ictal, ictal (active period), postictal.

Ictal Period

The active period of a seizure.

Tonic-Clonic Seizure

Generalized movement with loss of consciousness.

Absence Seizure

Brief loss of awareness often characterized by staring.

Postictal Phase

Period after a seizure where the patient is often exhausted and confused.

Focal Onset Seizure

Seizure that starts in one area of the brain; patient may be aware or have impaired awareness.

Tonic

Stiffening of muscles.

Clonic

Jerky movements.

Role of the Nurse (Seizures)

Ensure patient safety, protect airway, and provide privacy.

Head Injury Classifications

Mild, moderate, severe, primary, secondary.

Concussion

Most common type of traumatic brain injury.

Subdural Hematoma

Collection of blood between the dura and arachnoid mater; common after trauma.

Secondary Brain Injury

Insult to the brain secondary to the primary injury (e.g., stroke).

Concussion Symptoms

Cognitive changes, somatic symptoms, and changes in affect.

Concussion Danger Sign

Sleepiness or inability to stay awake.

Aneurysm

Bulging of a blood vessel wall.

Common Aneurysm Arteries

Carotid and vertebral arteries, circle of Willis.

Circle of Willis

A circle of arteries at the base of the brain that supply blood to the brain.

Aneurysm Risk Factors (Modifiable)

Hypertension.

Aneurysm Risk Factors (Non-Modifiable)

Genetics.

Unruptured Aneurysm

A bulge in a blood vessel that has not broken.

Ruptured Aneurysm

Blood vessel breaks and leaks blood into the surrounding tissue.

Aneurysm Thunderclap Headache

Sudden, severe headache described as hearing a thunderclap; may indicate rupture.

Parkinson's Disease

Loss of neurons in the substantia nigra, leading to dopamine deficiency.

Substantia Nigra

Area of the brain affected in Parkinson's disease; produces dopamine.

Parkinson's Neurotransmitters

Loss of dopamine and norepinephrine.

Peripheral Neuropathy

Damage to the peripheral nervous system.

Peripheral Neuropathy Risk

Risk for wounds, particularly in diabetics.

Peripheral Neuropathy Treatment

Gabapentin, Lyrica.

Migraines

A type of primary headache that can have a genetic component and may be preceded by an aura.

Cluster Headaches

Severe headaches that occur in clusters, often associated with stress or environmental factors.

Aura

A sensory disturbance, such as flashing lights, that can precede a migraine.

Prodromal Phase

The first phase of a migraine, characterized by symptoms like mood changes or fatigue.

Postdrome Phase

The final phase of a migraine, characterized by fatigue and exhaustion.

Ictal Phase

The active period of a seizure, during which the person experiences symptoms like convulsions or loss of consciousness.

Tonic Phase

The first phase of a tonic-clonic seizure, characterized by stiffening of the muscles.

Clonic Phase

The second phase of a tonic-clonic seizure, characterized by jerking movements.

Epilepsy

A chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures.

Glasgow Coma Scale

A neurological scale used to assess the level of consciousness in people with head injuries or other neurological conditions.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

An injury to the brain caused by a blow or jolt to the head.

Concussion

A mild TBI that can cause temporary symptoms like headache, dizziness, and confusion.

Subdural Hematoma

A collection of blood between the brain and the dura mater, the outermost membrane surrounding the brain.

Aneurysm

A bulge in a blood vessel wall that can rupture and cause bleeding in the brain.

Parkinson's Disease

A progressive neurological disorder that affects movement, causing tremors, rigidity, and slow movement.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter that plays a key role in movement and is deficient in people with Parkinson's disease.

Peripheral Neuropathy

Damage to the peripheral nerves, causing pain, numbness, and tingling in the hands and feet.

Gabapentin

A medication used to treat peripheral neuropathy and other nerve pain conditions.

Lyrica

A medication used to treat peripheral neuropathy and other nerve pain conditions.

Ischemia

Reduced blood to tissue.

Meninges

Membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

Autonomic Nervous System

Part of the peripheral nervous system includes nerves for involuntary actions.

Cranial Nerves

Nerves that emerge directly from the brain.

Spinal Nerves

Nerves that emerge from the spinal cord.

Etiology

The cause or origin of a disease or condition.

Prodromal

Relating to the early stages or symptoms of a disease before specific symptoms appear.

Ictal

Relating to a seizure or convulsion.

Postictal

The period following a seizure.

Atonic

Lacking normal muscle tone or strength.

Myoclonic

Involuntary muscle jerk, or twitch.

Subdural

Located beneath the dura mater.

Hematoma

A solid swelling of clotted blood within the tissues.

Aneurysm

A bulge in the wall of an artery.

Vasospasm

Sudden constriction of a blood vessel, reducing its diameter and flow rate.

Bradykinesia

Slowness of movement, a typical symptom of Parkinson's disease.

Rigidity

Stiffness; inflexibility.

Tremor

Involuntary shaking or trembling movements.

Paresthesia

An abnormal sensation, typically tingling or pricking ('pins and needles'), caused chiefly by pressure on or damage to peripheral nerves.

Hyperesthesia

Increased sensitivity to stimulation, such as touch or pain.

Glasgow Coma Scale

Tool for quick and objective way to determine the extent of impairment of consciousness in acutely brain-injured persons.

NorEpinephrine

Type of neurotransmitter- Low levels are seen in Parkinson's Disease

Seizure Precautions

Protect client from traumatic injury, position for adequate ventilation and drainage of oral secretions, and provide privacy and support following the seizure.

Parkinsonism

Having Parkinson's characteristics: tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia and postural instability

Demyelination

Loss of the myelin sheath insulating the nerves