Neuro

Anatomy

100

what is the CNS made up of?

what 2 branches is the PNS further divided into?

brain + spinal cord

somatic + autonomic NS

200

what 3 parts is the brain divided into? what are each of their functions?

•  cerebrum = largest part of the brain- consists of the frontal, parietal, temporal + occipital lobes

•  brainstem = controls basic functions (ie. breathing, BP, swallowing, pupil constriction)
  
  

• cerebellum= controls movement, balance + coordination

300

3 layers of the meninges in order from outer to inner layer

dura mater, arachnoid mater, pia mater

400

the brain connects to the spinal cord through a large opening at the base of the skull known as the 

foramen magnum

500

what are the 5 sections the spinal column is divided into? how many vertebrae are in each?

Spinal column: 33 bones

• Divided into 5 sections

  • Cervical= 7 vertebrae

  • Thoracic = 12 vertebrae

  • Lumbar= 5

  • Sacrum= 5

  • Coccyx= 4

Strokes

100

what is the medical term for stroke? what are the causes of ischemic vs hemorrhagic stroke?

Cerebrovascular accident (CVA)= stroke

1. Ischemic (more common)

   1. Occurs due to occlusion/blockage (caused by embolus, thrombosis, plaque/atherosclerosis) of CEREBRAL ARTERY

2. Hemorrhagic (more deadly)

   1. Number 1 cause= HTN

   2. ruptured aneurysm 

200

t/f: a TIA is a type of stroke

what characterizes a TIA

false!

1. NOT considered a stroke bc no permanent damage 

2. Symptoms resolve within 24 hrs

3. Seen as a warning sign for a future stroke

300

what is Cushing's triad used for and what are its 3 components?

- used for brain herniation/increased ICP

1. Increasing BP

2. Dropping HR

3. Irregular respirations (Cheyne-Stokes + Biot's respirations)

400

what are the parts of the Cincinnati stroke scale?

what is a condition that mimics stroke symptoms?

1. Arm drift test (they should be sitting, lift their arms in front of them with palms facing UP- tell them to hold them up + close their eyes)

2. Facial droop (have them smile)

3. Speech abnormalities (dysarthria, aphasia)

• Have them repeat a sentence 

• Hypoglycemia (therefore, it's important to check blood glucose levels anyone for stroke symp)

500

how should a pt having a stroke be positioned during transport?

• Paralyzed side should be face down when placing a stroke pt on their side

Seizures

100

define seizure and describe the 5 types of seizures

• a surge of chaotic electrical activity in the brain

1. Generalized seizures (aka tonic clonic aka grand mal)

   1. Involves the entire brain

   2. Full body shaking for up to 5 mins

   3. Postictal period= 5-30 mins

2. Partial seizures (aka focal seizures)= A part of the brain experiences chaotic electrical firing

   1. Simple partial seizures:

      1. Their LOC is normal

      2. May have numbness/weakness/dizziness

      3. May cause brief twitching or brief paralysis

   2. Complex partial seizures

      1. More obvious motor activity (lip smacking, eye fluttering)

3. Absence seizures

   1. No abnormal motor activity

   2. Characterized by a brief lapse of secs where pt stares + does not respond

4. Febrile seizures

   1. Exclusively affects young kids + benign

   2. SUDDEN RAPID fever

5. Status epilepticus

   1. Last longer than 5 mins or multiple seizures w/o a period in between

200

what should you do after the pt's seizure is over?

•  need to provide high flow- O2 bc not breathing during the seizure (can lead to cyanosis due to hypoxia)

300

list 3 metabolic causes of seizures

2. 
   

   1. Usually due to hypoglycemia, Drug/alcohol/benzodiazepines intoxication or lack thereof (withdrawal), POISONING IS A METABOLIC CAUSE OF SEIZURES

400

You arrive on scene and find EMRs with a seizing pt. Which of these question should you ask first?

A. "How long has the patient been seizing?"
B. "What are the patient's vital signs?"
C. "Did the patient lose control of his bladder?"
D. "Do you know which medications the patient is taking?"

A

500

if you weren't present while the pt was having a seizure, what 2 common signs could lead you to suspect that one occurred?

• Urinary incontinence + oral trauma are common signs that a pt had a seizure