PATHOPHYSIOLOGY – FINAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY – FINAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE NEURO – TERMS TO KNOW CONSCIOUSNESS • The state of being aware, or perceiving physical facts or mental concepts; a state of general wakefulness and responsiveness to environment; a functioning sensorium. [L. conscio, to know, to be aware of] • totally aware of surrounding activities and incoming stimuli • oriented to time, place, and people • person can respond quickly and appropriately to questions, commands, or events. • Various levels of reduced consciousness may present as o Lethargy o Confusion o Disorientation o memory loss o unresponsiveness to verbal stimuli o difficulty in arousal • Glasgow Coma Scale o Used for assessing LOC • Coma o Most serious level of loss of consciousness o Affected person does not respond to stimuli (pain, or verbal) o Some reflexes may still be present • Deep coma o Loss of all reflexes o Fixed and dilated pupils o Slow and irregular pulse and respirations AROUSAL • Reticular Activating System • determines the degree of arousal or awareness of the cerebral cortex • The pons and medulla influence the brain's awareness of the incoming pain stimuli o PONS – composed of bundles of both afferent (incoming) and efferent (outgoing) fibers o MEDULLA  contains vital control centers that regulate respiratory and cardiovascular function  contains the coordinating centers that govern coughing, swallowing, vomiting VEGETATIVE STATE • Loss of awareness and mental capabilities • Results from diffuse brain damage AMNESIA • Loss of memory CONVULSION