Module 13: Nervous System

Alzheimer’s

a chronic, progressive deterioration of the brain that causes confusion, memory loss, behavioral changes, and inability to care for self

Aphasia

loss of the ability to communicate through speech, writing or signs; frequently follows a stroke

Cataract

clouding of the lens of the eye

Catastrophic Reaction

unpredictable violent behavior of a person with dementia; the uncoordinated response to a drastic shock or a sudden threatening condition

Cerebral Palsy

a chronic condition resulting from lack of oxygen during birth; motor control and speech are affected

Confusion

disorientation to person, place and/or time; it may be temporary or long term

CVA

brain attack/stroke

Delusion

persistent false or misinformed beliefs; often of grandeur, persecution, or control

Dementia

Chronic decline in memory and often other thought processes

Developmentally disabled

a condition in which the brain does not develop normally resulting in decreased physical and intellectual functioning

Epilepsy

a disorder of the brain's electrical functioning resulting in various kinds of seizures

Glaucoma

elevated pressure within the anterior part of the eye; can lead to blindness

Hallucination

a false sensory perception of something that does not exist in reality; it can be heard, seen, smelled, tasted, or touched

Hemiplegia

paralysis of one side of the body

Multiple Sclerosis

a progressive degenerative nervous and muscular system disorder, caused by abnormal changes in the cranial and spinal nerves

Nerve

bands of specialized tissue that connect the brain and the spinal cord with the rest of the body

Otosclerosis

growth of spongy bone tissue in the inner each causing increasing deafness

Paralysis

temporary or permanent loss of function and/or feeling in a body part

Paraplegia

paralysis of the lower part of the body involving both legs and sometimes the lower trunk

Paranoia

a chronic, fixed belief of persecution and delusion; overly suspicious or mistrusting

Parkinson’s Disease

a slowly progressive degenerative neurological disorder characterized by muscle stiffness, involuntary tremors, shuffling gait, and weakness

Quadriplegia

paralysis of all four extremities

Reality orientation

the process of reorienting a confused or disoriented resident to the here and now

Seizure

involuntary shaking and jerking of the body

Stroke

a cerebro vascular accident; may be referred to apoplexy

Sundowning

state in which a resident becomes increasingly disoriented as the day progresses

TIA

transient ischemic attack; a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain

Tremor

involuntary trembling

Vertigo

a sensation of spinning or whirling motion