Neuro Basics & LOC
What is the most sensitive indicator of neurological change?
Level of consciousness (LOC)
Normal ICP range is
5–15 mm Hg
The #1 modifiable risk factor for stroke is ________.
Hypertension
Meningitis is inflammation of the ________ that surround the brain and spinal cord.
Meninges
Autonomic dysreflexia occurs in injuries above what spinal level?
T6
The part of the brain responsible for arousal is the ________.
Reticular Activating System (RAS)
The Monro-Kellie hypothesis states the skull contains....
Brain tissue, blood, and CSF
Right brain damage causes what? and left brain damage causes?
Left-side hemiplegia and right-side hemiplegia
Which organism causes meningococcal meningitis with a petechial rash?
Neisseria meningitidis
The first nursing action in autonomic dysreflexia is to ________.
Sit the patient upright and check bladder/bowel.
Name two components of consciousness.
Arousal and awareness
What is Cushing Triad's?
Cushing’s Triad is a late, life-threatening sign of increased intracranial pressure (ICP) — when the brain is under so much pressure that it starts to push down on the brainstem.
The area of reversible ischemia around the infarct is called the ________.
Penumbra
In bacterial meningitis, CSF glucose is ________ and protein is ________.
Low; high
List the four phases of a tonic-clonic seizure in order.
Aura → Tonic → Clonic → Postictal
In brain death, all function of the brain and ________ are irreversibly lost.
Brainstem
A patient briefly loses consciousness, then regains it before rapid decline. What type of hematoma is this?
Epidural hematoma
Which type of stroke occurs from a ruptured vessel?
Hemorrhagic stroke
Encephalitis primarily affects what part of the CNS?
Brain parenchyma (brain tissue itself)
Which neurotransmitters are primarily excitatory and inhibitory in seizure activity?
Glutamate (excitatory), GABA (inhibitory)
Name the 7 levels of consciousness.
Full consciousness, Confusion/disorientation, Lethargy, Obtundation, Stupor, Coma, and Persistent vegetative state
Overall results of cerebral edema consist of.....
•Change in fluid pressure gradients
• increase tissue pressure
• decrease in cerebral blood flow
•Tissue acidosis
•Tissue necrosis
•Brain damage
For ischemic stroke, tPA must be given within how many hours of symptom onset?
3–4.5 hours
Name two nursing interventions for a meningitis patient.
Droplet precautions, elevate HOB, quiet/dark room, seizure precautions, administer antibiotics.
Primary intracerebral tumors (gliomas): origin is neuroglia cells, which are?
Astrocytoma
Oligodendroglioma