Neurological Disorders - Key Concepts and Terms

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to neurological disorders, assessments, interventions, and management.

Neuroassessment

An assessment of a patient's level of consciousness, mental status, motor and sensory function, and cranial nerve function.

Intracranial Aneurysm

Weakening in the arterial wall causing a ballooning effect or distention; often asymptomatic until rupture.

Rupture of Aneurysm

Commonly results in subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and presents with 'worst headache of my life', nausea/vomiting, stiff neck, and coma.

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)

Temporary disruption of blood flow to the brain, presenting as stroke-like symptoms that resolve within 24 hours.

Stroke

Disruption of blood flow to the brain caused by obstruction or rupture of a vessel.

Clinical Manifestations of Stroke

Include sudden onset of unilateral weakness, numbness, visual changes, dysarthria, dysphagia, and aphasia.

Management of Ischemic Stroke

Includes oxygenation, blood pressure control, fluid management, and restoration of cerebral blood flow.

Thrombolytic Therapy

Administering medications like alteplase (t-PA) to dissolve blood clots in ischemic strokes.

Intracranial Pressure (ICP) Monitoring

Continuous measurement of pressure within the skull, with normal values between 0-15 mmHg.

Seizure

Rapid, repeated bursts of abnormal electrical activity in the brain that can alter sensory, motor, or behavioral functions.

Status Epilepticus

A neurological emergency characterized by continuous seizure activity or repeated seizures without returning to baseline.

Neuroassessment

An assessment of a patient's level of consciousness, mental status, motor and sensory function, and cranial nerve function.

Intracranial Aneurysm

Weakening in the arterial wall causing a ballooning effect or distention; often asymptomatic until rupture.

Rupture of Aneurysm

Commonly results in subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and presents with 'worst headache of my life', nausea/vomiting, stiff neck, and coma.

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)

Temporary disruption of blood flow to the brain, presenting as stroke-like symptoms that resolve within 24 hours.

Stroke

Disruption of blood flow to the brain caused by obstruction or rupture of a vessel.

Types of Stroke

1. Ischemic Stroke: Caused by a blockage in a blood vessel supplying the brain (thrombus or embolus).
2. Hemorrhagic Stroke: Caused by bleeding into the brain tissue or surrounding spaces, often due to a ruptured aneurysm or uncontrolled hypertension.

Risk Factors for Stroke

Include hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, smoking, atrial fibrillation, obesity, and carotid artery disease.

Clinical Manifestations of Stroke

Include sudden onset of unilateral weakness, numbness, visual changes, dysarthria, dysphagia, and aphasia.

Management of Ischemic Stroke

Includes oxygenation, blood pressure control, fluid management, and restoration of cerebral blood flow.

Thrombolytic Therapy

Administering medications like alteplase (t-PA) to dissolve blood clots in ischemic strokes.

Intracranial Pressure (ICP) Monitoring

Continuous measurement of pressure within the skull, with normal values between 0-15 mmHg.

Nursing Interventions for Increased ICP

1. Maintain head of bed elevation at 30 degrees.
2. Ensure head and neck are in neutral alignment.
3. Avoid Valsalva maneuvers (e.g., straining, coughing).
4. Administer osmotic diuretics (e.g., mannitol) as prescribed.
5. Monitor neurological status frequently.

Seizure

Rapid, repeated bursts of abnormal electrical activity in the brain that can alter sensory, motor, or behavioral functions.

Neuroassessment

An assessment of a patient's level of consciousness, mental status, motor and sensory function, and cranial nerve function.

Intracranial Aneurysm

Weakening in the arterial wall causing a ballooning effect or distention; often asymptomatic until rupture.

Rupture of Aneurysm

Commonly results in subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and presents with 'worst headache of my life', nausea/vomiting, stiff neck, and coma.

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)

Temporary disruption of blood flow to the brain, presenting as stroke-like symptoms that resolve within 24 hours.

Stroke

Disruption of blood flow to the brain caused by obstruction or rupture of a vessel.

Types of Stroke

1. Ischemic Stroke: Caused by a blockage in a blood vessel supplying the brain (thrombus or embolus). 2. Hemorrhagic Stroke: Caused by bleeding into the brain tissue or surrounding spaces, often due to a ruptured aneurysm or uncontrolled hypertension.

Risk Factors for Stroke

Include hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, smoking, atrial fibrillation, obesity, and carotid artery disease.

Clinical Manifestations of Stroke

Include sudden onset of unilateral weakness, numbness, visual changes, dysarthria, dysphagia, and aphasia.

Management of Ischemic Stroke

Includes oxygenation, blood pressure control, fluid management, and restoration of cerebral blood flow.

Thrombolytic Therapy

Administering medications like alteplase (t-PA) to dissolve blood clots in ischemic strokes.

Intracranial Pressure (ICP) Monitoring

Continuous measurement of pressure within the skull, with normal values between 0-15 mmHg.

Nursing Interventions for Increased ICP

1. Maintain head of bed elevation at 30 degrees. 2. Ensure head and neck are in neutral alignment. 3. Avoid Valsalva maneuvers (e.g., straining, coughing). 4. Administer osmotic diuretics (e.g., mannitol) as prescribed. 5. Monitor neurological status frequently.

Seizure

Rapid, repeated bursts of abnormal electrical activity in the brain that can alter sensory, motor, or behavioral functions.

Status Epilepticus

A neurological emergency characterized by continuous seizure activity or repeated seizures without returning to baseline.

Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)

A neurological scale used to assess a patient's level of consciousness by scoring eye opening, verbal response, and motor response. The maximum score is 15, and the minimum is 3.

Management of Hemorrhagic Stroke

Focuses on controlling bleeding, managing blood pressure, preventing vasospasm, and

Neuroassessment

An assessment of a patient's level of consciousness, mental status, motor and sensory function, and cranial nerve function.

Intracranial Aneurysm

Weakening in the arterial wall causing a ballooning effect or distention; often asymptomatic until rupture.

Rupture of Aneurysm

Commonly results in subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and presents with 'worst headache of my life', nausea/vomiting, stiff neck, and coma.

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)

Temporary disruption of blood flow to the brain, presenting as stroke-like symptoms that resolve within 24 hours.

Stroke

Disruption of blood flow to the brain caused by obstruction or rupture of a vessel.

Types of Stroke

1. Ischemic Stroke: Caused by a blockage in a blood vessel supplying the brain (thrombus or embolus).
2. Hemorrhagic Stroke: Caused by bleeding into the brain tissue or surrounding spaces, often due to a ruptured aneurysm or uncontrolled hypertension.

Risk Factors for Stroke

Include hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, smoking, atrial fibrillation, obesity, and carotid artery disease.

Clinical Manifestations of Stroke

Include sudden onset of unilateral weakness, numbness, visual changes, dysarthria, dysphagia, and aphasia.

Management of Ischemic Stroke

Includes oxygenation, blood pressure control, fluid management, and restoration of cerebral blood flow.

Thrombolytic Therapy

Administering medications like alteplase (t-PA) to dissolve blood clots in ischemic strokes.

Intracranial Pressure (ICP) Monitoring

Continuous measurement of pressure within the skull, with normal values between 0-15 mmHg.

Nursing Interventions for Increased ICP

1. Maintain head of bed elevation at 30 degrees.
2. Ensure head and neck are in neutral alignment.
3. Avoid Valsalva maneuvers (e.g., straining, coughing).
4. Administer osmotic diuretics (e.g., mannitol) as prescribed.
5. Monitor neurological status frequently.

Seizure

Rapid, repeated bursts of abnormal electrical activity in the brain that can alter sensory, motor, or behavioral functions.

Status Epilepticus

A neurological emergency characterized by continuous seizure activity or repeated seizures without returning to baseline.

Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)

A neurological scale used to assess a patient's level of consciousness by scoring eye opening, verbal response, and motor response. The maximum score is 15, and the minimum is 3.

Management of Hemorrhagic Stroke

Focuses on controlling bleeding, managing blood pressure, preventing vasospasm, and surgical intervention (e.g., clipping or coiling) if an aneurysm is present.

Phases of Seizures

1. Prodromal Phase: Symptoms appear hours or days before a seizure (e.g., mood changes, irritability).
2. Aural Phase: A few seconds to minutes before a seizure, characterized by a sensory warning (e.g., visual disturbances, dizziness).
3. Ictal Phase: The actual seizure activity, from the first symptom to the end of seizure activity.
4. Postictal Phase: The recovery period after the seizure, which can include confusion, fatigue, and headache.

Post-Seizure Care

Includes ensuring patient safety, monitoring neurological status, maintaining a patent airway, providing a calm environment, and reorienting the patient.

Lumbar Puncture (LP)

A