Brain Anatomy
How many lobes of the brain are there?
4
Occipital, frontal, temporal, parietal
What is normal intracranial pressure range in adults?
5-15 mmHg
This term describes a SUDDEN neurologic deficit caused by decreased blood flow to the brain.
A stroke (cerebrovascular accident or CVA)
What is the most common risk factor for a hemorrhagic stroke?
Hypertension
What is the left side of the brain in charge of?
Language, math, logical reasoning, R sided body control, memory
What part of the brain is known as the "memory center"
Hippocampus
What positioning intervention helps decrease intracranial pressure?
Elevating the head of the bed to 30 degrees
What are the two categories of stroke that can occur?
Ischemic and Hemorrhagic
A clot that travels from another part of the body and blocks a cerebral artery causes this type of stroke.
An embolic stroke
(Think PE or DVT)
What is the right side of the brain in charge of?
Creativity, emotions, visual imagery, context, L sided body control
Name some things the brain is in control of
Breathing, HR, BP, memory, thinking, temperature, movement, judgment, emotions
This triad of symptoms indicates increasing intracranial pressure.
What is Cushing's Triad?
(bradycardia, irregular respirations, widening pulse pressure)
A left-sided stroke typically produces paralysis on this side of the body.
The right side of the body
What type of stroke is Alteplase used for?
Ischemic stroke
(tPa is a fibrinolytic that busts clots)
What are symptoms of a left-sided stroke?
R-sided body paralysis or weakness, severe speech/language issues (aphasia), and slow, cautious behavioral changes
The brainstem consists of these three structures.
The medulla oblongata, pons, and midbrain?
This osmotic diuretic is commonly used to decrease intracranial pressure.
What is Mannitol?
What is the FIRST thing to do before treatment of a stroke?
What is the treatment for a hemorrhagic stroke?
Antihypertensives
Osmotic diuretics
Hypertonic saline
What are the symptoms of a right-sided stroke?
L-sided body paralysis or weakness (hemiplegia/hemiparesis), memory loss, poor judgment
What is the brain protected by?
Skull, meninges, cerebrospinal fluid, blood-brain barrier
What are the 4 things the brain MUST have to maintain regulation?
Glucose, oxygen, blood flow, normal pressure
Think FAST!
(aka what does FAST stand for?)
F: Facial droop
A: Arm weakness
S: Speech difficulty
T: Time to call 911
Name common symptoms of a stroke
SUDDEN! Facial drooping, weakness on one side of body, slurred speech, sudden severe headache, confusion, decreased LOC
What are the neurological deficits dependent on for a stroke?
(3 things)
the area of the brain
size of the area affected
length of time blood flow is altered.