Neurological Disorders: Myasthenia Gravis, Status Epilepticus, Trigeminal Neuralgia, and Bell's Palsy

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering neurological conditions from the lecture transcript, including myasthenia gravis, status epilepticus, trigeminal neuralgia, and Bell's palsy.

Myasthenia Gravis

A chronic autoimmune disease where the body's immune system attacks communication between nerves and muscles, causing muscle weakness, lethargy, and facial asymmetry.

Tarsus

The term used in the lecture to identify the symptom of a drooping eyelid observed in patients with myasthenia gravis.

Diplopia

Double vision experienced by myasthenia gravis patients where they see two different things from both eyes.

Pyridostigmine

An anticholinesterase drug that unblocks nerve signals to the muscles, helping restore muscle function in myasthenia gravis.

Respiratory Status Monitoring

The primary nursing priority for a myasthenia gravis patient, focused on protecting the airway because muscle weakness can compromise the diaphragm and breathing.

Myasthenic Crisis

An acute exacerbation of muscle weakness and risk of lung failure caused by an insufficient medication dose (under-medication), treated by increasing the dose.

Cholinergic Crisis

A condition caused by an overdose of anticholinesterase medication, characterized by pronounced weakness and excessive bodily secretions, including tears, sweat, saliva, mucus, and urine.

Status Epilepticus

A medical emergency characterized by a seizure lasting more than $5\text{ minutes}$ or multiple seizures occurring back to back without the patient waking up between them.

Timing the Seizure

The number one nursing priority when witnessing a patient having a seizure, used to identify status epilepticus and assess the risk of brain damage.

Lorazepam

An intravenous medication administered to stop seizures, relax the brain and muscles, and prevent brain damage during status epilepticus.

Side-Lying Position (Seizure Intervention)

The positioning technique of turning a seizing patient onto their side to prevent vomiting and protect against fatal aspiration pneumonia.

Trigeminal Neuralgia

A disorder of the fifth cranial nerve characterized by sudden, severe, sharp, electric shock-like or stabbing pain affecting one side of the face (cheek, jaw, teeth, ear, or eye).

Trigeminal Neuralgia Pain Triggers

Physical stimulations that initiate severe facial pain, including chewing, brushing teeth, cool wind or breeze, and washing the face with cold water.

Carbamazepine

A nerve-block medication used in trigeminal neuralgia to block pain sensations transmitted by the irritated fifth cranial nerve.

Bell's Palsy

A temporary condition causing sudden weakness or paralysis of one side of the face due to inflammation or swelling of the seventh cranial nerve (facial nerve), presenting without pain.

Herpes Simplex

A prevalent viral infection commonly linked to the irritation and swelling of the facial nerve that leads to Bell's palsy.

Prednisone (in Bell's Palsy)

A steroid medication prescribed to decrease swelling and inflammation of the facial nerve in patients diagnosed with Bell's palsy.

Eye Shield / Eye Patch

A protective covering applied to the affected eye of a Bell's palsy patient to prevent dryness, dust exposure, and corneal injury caused by an inability to fully close the eyelid.