chronic neurologic problems

Question 1

primary headache

Answer 1

issues in the brain

Question 2

secondary headache

Answer 2

headache d/t sinus infection, neck injury, etc

Question 3

tension type HA

Answer 3

• bilateral, band like HA associated with neck pain and increased tone in the cervical and neck muscles
• constant, squeezing tightness
• cause: neurovascular factors: abnormal neuronal sensitivity

Question 4

s/s of tension type HA

Answer 4

• no prodrome
• no n/v
• photophobia or phonophobia
• may occur intermittently

Question 5

migraine HA

Answer 5

• recurring
• unilateral and bilateral throbbing pain
• triggers
• cause: neuronal hyperexcitability in the cerebral cortex, especially in the occipital cortex

Question 6

s/s of migraine HA

Answer 6

• prodrome and aura

- steady, throbbing pain that is synchronous with the pulse

Question 7

cluster HA

Answer 7

• repeated headaches that occur for weeks or months at a time, followed by periods of remission
• cause: dysfunctional of intracranial blood vessel
• trigeminal nerve is implicated

Question 8

s/s of cluster HA

Answer 8

• sharp and stabbing
• intense pain lasting from a few mins to 3 hours
• pain usually located around the eye, radiating to the temple, forehead, cheek, nose, or gums

Question 9

drug tx for tension type HA

Answer 9

• non opiod analgesics
• sedatives
• muscle relaxants
• tranquilizers
• ppx: depakote, topamax, elavil

Question 10

drug tx for migraine HA

Answer 10

• aspirin, NSAIDs
• caffeine containing analgesics
• imitrex
• ppx: topamax, elavil, botox

Question 11

drug tx for cluster HA

Answer 11

• 100% O2 6-8L/M for 10 mins
• triptans
• ppx: ergotamine
• nerve blocks
• deep brain stimulation

Question 12

nursing mgmt of HA

Answer 12

• exercise, relaxation, socializing
• alternative pain mgmt
• massage and moist heat packs to the neck
• dietary counseling
• avoid smoking and smoke exposure
• avoid high altitudes or take ergotamine

Question 13

seizure

Answer 13

paroxysmal, uncontrolled electrical discharge of neurons in the brain, interrupts normal function

Question 14

epilepsy

Answer 14

condition in which a person has a spontaneous recurring sz caused by a chronic underlying condition

Question 15

causes of sz in the first 6 months of life

Answer 15

• birth injury
• congenital defects
• infections
• inborn erros of metabolism

Question 16

causes of sz from ages 2 to 20

Answer 16

• birth injury
• infection
• trauma
• genetic factors

Question 17

causes of sz from ages 20-30

Answer 17

• trauma
• brain tumors
• vascular disorders

Question 18

causes of sz after 50 years old

Answer 18

• stroke

- metastatic brain tumors

Question 19

s/s of generalized sz

Answer 19

-loss of consciousness from few seconds to several minutes

Question 20

s/s of tonic clonic seizure

Answer 20

• losing consciousness
• falling to the ground
• followed by stiffening of the body
• subsequent jerking of the extremities
• cyanosis, excessive salivation, tongue or cheek biting, incontinence

Question 21

s/s of post-ictal tonic clonic seizure

Answer 21

• muscle soreness
• is tired
• no memory of seizure

Question 22

s/s of typical absence sz

Answer 22

• usually only in children
• brief staring spell that lasts only a few seconds
• hyperventilation and flashing lights can precipitate these

Question 23

s/s of atypical absence sz

Answer 23

• staring spell
• brief warnings
• peculiar behavior during the sz
• confusion after the sz

Question 24

atonic sz

Answer 24

• either so stiff

- or sudden loss of muscle tone

Question 25

simple focal sz

Answer 25

remain conscious but experience unusual feelings or sensations

Question 26

complex focal sz

Answer 26

alteration/loss of consciousness, producing a dream like experience

Question 27

complications of sz

Answer 27

- status epilepticus: constant sz -> brain exhaustion -> brain dead - severe injury - psychosocial problems

Question 28

diagnostic studies for sz

Answer 28

- health hx - EEG - magnetoencephalography - CBC, chem, LFTs, BUN/Cr, UA - CT or MRI - cerebral angiography

Question 29

drug tx for tonic-clonic and focal sz

Answer 29

- dilantin - neurontin - keppra

Question 30

drug tx for absence and myoclonic sz

Answer 30

- klonopin | - depakote

Question 31

drug tx for status epilepticus

Answer 31

- ativan | - valium

Question 32

surgery for sz

Answer 32

anterior temporal lobe resection