QUESTIONS WITH EXPERT SOLUTIONS | 2026 LATEST UPDATED |
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What happens to nerve tissue during ischemia? - (Answer)Nerve tissue struggles with anaerobic
metabolism and is very sensitive to decreased oxygen.
What is ischemia? - (Answer)Cell death.
What is hypoxia? - (Answer)Decreased oxygen leading to mitochondrial failure and cell damage.
What is the main CNS neurotransmitter? - (Answer)Glutamate.
What effect does ischemia have on glutamate? - (Answer)Ischemia increases glutamate release.
What are the effects of too much glutamate? - (Answer)Increased calcium and water enter the
cell, causing calcium overload and cytotoxic edema.
What does excessive glutamate production lead to? - (Answer)Increased production of nitrous
oxide, free radical formation, and cell death.
,What is the normal range for intracranial pressure (ICP)? - (Answer)0-15 mmHg
At what ICP level does brain impairment occur? - (Answer)> 22 mmHg for > 5 minutes
What are the three main components of the cranial cavity according to the Monroe-Kellie
doctrine? - (Answer)Brain, Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF), Blood
What is intracranial compliance? - (Answer)The ability of the cranial components to adjust to
changes in volume to minimize impact on ICP.
Name an everyday activity that can cause slight changes in ICP. - (Answer)Sneeze, cough,
bending, laugh
What is interstitial edema? - (Answer)Swelling caused by fluid, electrolytes, and proteins forced
into the intercellular space due to vessel damage or increased pressure.
What causes intracellular edema? - (Answer)Global ischemia leading to cellular energy failure
and Na+ accumulation, attracting water into the cell.
,What is the most sensitive clinical manifestation of increased ICP? - (Answer)Change in level of
consciousness (LOC), often increased drowsiness.
What are common symptoms of increased ICP? - (Answer)Headache, nausea/vomiting, blurred
vision, slow pupillary response.
What is Cushing's Triad? - (Answer)A late sign of increased ICP characterized by ↑BP, ↓HR, and
respiratory changes.
What does a decrease in the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score indicate? - (Answer)A potential
decrease in consciousness or brain function.
What is the maximum score for eye opening on the Glasgow Coma Scale? - (Answer)4 for
spontaneous eye opening.
What is the maximum score for verbal response on the Glasgow Coma Scale? - (Answer)5 for
oriented verbal response.
, What is the maximum score for motor response on the Glasgow Coma Scale? - (Answer)6 for
following commands.
What does decreased pupil response indicate? - (Answer)Increased intracranial pressure (ICP).
What is the normal response in the Doll's Eyes Test? - (Answer)Eyes move in the opposite
direction of head movement.
What does an absent response in the Cold Calorics test indicate? - (Answer)No eye movement,
suggesting potential brain dysfunction.
What is the normal response of the corneal reflex? - (Answer)Blinking when a cotton swab
touches the cornea.
What does fixed and dilated pupils indicate? - (Answer)Poor brain perfusion.
What does small (pinpoint) pupils suggest? - (Answer)Possible pons issue or drug effects.
Focal (Coup) - (Answer)Injury localized to the site of impact