Increased Intracranial Pressure and Spinal Cord Injury

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary related to increased intracranial pressure and spinal cord injury.

Increased ICP

Increased intracranial pressure, a condition that can lead to brain herniation and is measured with a pressure monitor.

Normal ICP Range

Normal intracranial pressure is typically between 10 to 15 mmHg.

Cushing's Triad

A late sign of increased ICP characterized by hypertension, bradycardia, and irregular respirations.

Early Signs of Increased ICP

Declining level of consciousness, restlessness, irritability, headache, unilateral weakness, pupil changes.

Late Signs of Increased ICP

Severe headache, deterioration of level of consciousness to coma, erratic respiratory rate, tachycardia, hypotension, projectile vomiting, loss of reflexes, posturing, seizures, fixed pupils.

Monro-Kellie Hypothesis

The principle that the total volume inside the cranial cavity is constant, comprising brain, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid, with increases in one compensated by decreases in the others.

Cerebral Perfusion Pressure (CPP)

The pressure required to ensure blood flow to the brain, calculated as MAP - ICP.

Mannitol

A hyperosmolar diuretic used to reduce ICP by pulling water out of brain tissue.

Neurogenic Shock

Shock resulting from spinal cord injury that disrupts autonomic nervous system balance, leading to hypotension and bradycardia.

Autonomic Dysreflexia

A condition occurring in spinal cord injury patients characterized by excessive sympathetic response to a noxious stimulus below the level of injury.