Level of Consciousness (LOC) - ANSWER To assess brain function
-Assess orientation: to person, place, time, purpose
-Assess memory: short term
-Assess calculation
-Assess knowledge
CT scan - ANSWER X-ray and computer technology images
5 levels of consciousness - ANSWER -Alert: responds appropriately
-Disorientation: disoriented, unable to follow simple commands, flat
affect
-Stupor: responds to verbal commands with moaning/groaning, unaware
of surroundings
-Semicomatose: impaired state of consciousness, aroused by energetic
stimulation
-Comatose: unable to respond, pupil reflex absent, incontinent,
decreased or absent Neuro activity
Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) - ANSWER a scoring system used to
describe the level of consciousness in a person following a traumatic
brain injury
15 highest score: no Neuro impairment
3 lowest score possible
8 and less : coma
aphasia - ANSWER Abnormal Neuro condition in which the language
function is absent or defective
sensory/receptive aphasia - ANSWER Inability to COMPREHEND
spoken or written word (Wernicke), cannot read, can write but it won't
make sense
, motor (expressive) aphasia - ANSWER inability to write or speak
appropriately (Broca), no problems with comprehension
Motor Function - ANSWER Most commonly encountered, most important
is not the value of the scale, but the comparison of one side with the
other
Paralysis - ANSWER complete loss of motor function
Paresis - ANSWER partial loss of function
Cerebral Spinal Fluid (CSF) testing - ANSWER -Dextrostix or UA stick
with drainage from nose to ear; test positive for glucose=CSF
-Collect blood droplets and monitor for Halo sign, suggest CSF
lumbar puncture (LP) - ANSWER -spinal tap
-Insert hollow needle into subarachnoid space L4, L5
-Sterile procedure
-Measure CSF pressure
-Position pt on side with knee to chest during procedure
LP complications - ANSWER -severe pounding headache
-CNS infection
- leg or buttock pain
-irritation/hematoma at site
-nausea/vomiting
LP post procedure - ANSWER -Lie pt flat for 24 hrs to prevent spinal
headache
-Check site for bleeding and leaking of CSF
-Frequent VS
-document ability of MAE before and after procedure
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) - ANSWER No metal
PET scan (positron emission tomography) - ANSWER -Study changes in
the brain, glucose injected into vein
-Assess orientation: to person, place, time, purpose
-Assess memory: short term
-Assess calculation
-Assess knowledge
CT scan - ANSWER X-ray and computer technology images
5 levels of consciousness - ANSWER -Alert: responds appropriately
-Disorientation: disoriented, unable to follow simple commands, flat
affect
-Stupor: responds to verbal commands with moaning/groaning, unaware
of surroundings
-Semicomatose: impaired state of consciousness, aroused by energetic
stimulation
-Comatose: unable to respond, pupil reflex absent, incontinent,
decreased or absent Neuro activity
Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) - ANSWER a scoring system used to
describe the level of consciousness in a person following a traumatic
brain injury
15 highest score: no Neuro impairment
3 lowest score possible
8 and less : coma
aphasia - ANSWER Abnormal Neuro condition in which the language
function is absent or defective
sensory/receptive aphasia - ANSWER Inability to COMPREHEND
spoken or written word (Wernicke), cannot read, can write but it won't
make sense
, motor (expressive) aphasia - ANSWER inability to write or speak
appropriately (Broca), no problems with comprehension
Motor Function - ANSWER Most commonly encountered, most important
is not the value of the scale, but the comparison of one side with the
other
Paralysis - ANSWER complete loss of motor function
Paresis - ANSWER partial loss of function
Cerebral Spinal Fluid (CSF) testing - ANSWER -Dextrostix or UA stick
with drainage from nose to ear; test positive for glucose=CSF
-Collect blood droplets and monitor for Halo sign, suggest CSF
lumbar puncture (LP) - ANSWER -spinal tap
-Insert hollow needle into subarachnoid space L4, L5
-Sterile procedure
-Measure CSF pressure
-Position pt on side with knee to chest during procedure
LP complications - ANSWER -severe pounding headache
-CNS infection
- leg or buttock pain
-irritation/hematoma at site
-nausea/vomiting
LP post procedure - ANSWER -Lie pt flat for 24 hrs to prevent spinal
headache
-Check site for bleeding and leaking of CSF
-Frequent VS
-document ability of MAE before and after procedure
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) - ANSWER No metal
PET scan (positron emission tomography) - ANSWER -Study changes in
the brain, glucose injected into vein
