CVAs
This diagnostic test is top priority when a patient is exhibiting signs of a stroke.
What is a CT of the head?
(Other diagnostic tests can be delayed until treatment has been administered)
This acronym was developed to assist in quick identification of common stroke symptoms.
What is FAST?
Face, Arm, Speech, Time
This disorder is the result of degeneration of the myelin sheath that ultimately leads to nerve damage.
What is multiple sclerosis?
This type of seizure, commonly seen in younger children, can be prevented through proper use of antipyretic during illness.
What are febrile seizures?
This common side effect levodopa will require educating the patient on daily blood pressure checks and safe position changes.
What is orthostatic hypotension?
If identified early, ischemic strokes can be treated most effectively with this drug.
What is alteplase (tPA)?
(Needs to be administered no longer than 4.5 hours after the onset of symptoms)
With the exception of these issues, most stroke deficits occur on the side opposite of the infarct.
What are visual disturbances?
Also known as Lou Gehrig disease, this disorder causes degeneration of the motor neurons that control the voluntary muscles.
What is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)?
(Involuntary muscles are safe, thank goodness)
This disorder has been linked to the use of salicylates during viral illnesses.
What is Reye's Syndrome?
Those taking MAO-B inhibitors should be educated to avoid foods high in this substance.
What is tyramine?
(Red wine, aged cheeses, smoked meats, etc.)
Strokes may be classified as one of these two types.
What is ischemic and hemorrhagic?
(Ischemic = occlusion / Hemorrhagic = bleeding)
This term, which means impaired coordination, can cause sudden difficulty walking and should be treated as emergent when exhibited in a patient.
What is ataxia?
The majority of patients with neuromuscular conditions ultimately die related to these complications.
What are respiratory infections?
(Commonly pneumonia)
A common cause of head injury, this condition is specific to children and can result in permanent brain injury or death.
What is shaken baby syndrome?
These two drugs are commonly used in combination as treatment for Parkinson disease.
What are carbidopa and levodopa?
This type of CVA has the longest recovery and causes the most neurological deficits.
What is subarachnoid hemorrhage?
This common symptom of a stroke requires an evaluation to be completed by speech therapy prior to allowing the patient to eat or drink.
What is dysphagia?
Though the cause is unknown, this condition has been linked to disorders of the thymus.
What is myasthenia gravis?
The two most common causes of this condition in children are group B strep and haemophilus influenzae.
What is meningitis?
(Prevention measures: GBS screening in third trimester patients and the Hib vaccination)
This class of drugs is used to reduce the severity of tremors and drooling related to Parkinson disease.
What are anticholinergic agents?
This long-term complication of strokes is exhibited by the patient demonstrating emotional lability.
What is pseudobulbar affect?
These two symptoms are the most common manifestations of aneurysms.
What are severe headache and photophobia?
This treatment is commonly used in neuromuscular disorders with the goal of removing antibodies that may be causing degeneration.
What is plasmapheresis?
Cerebral palsy can be classified as one of these four types.
What is spastic, athetoid, ataxic, and mixed?
This drug is only effective when combined with carbidopa-levodopa and is given when their effectiveness begins to decrease.
What is entacapone?
(Dosage will be titrated based on patient response)