Question | Answer |
Meningitis is an | acute(sudden) inflammation of the arachnoid membrane and the pia mater |
The meninges are the | protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord |
Meningitis is an infectious disease that affects | children and yound adults |
Meningitis can be caused by a | bacterial or viral infection |
Bacterial meningitis can be | serious and deadly |
Most recover completely from | viral meningitis |
The infecting organism can reach the meninges from the | middle ear, upper respiratory tract, frontal sinuses, or carried in the blood from other infected sites |
Symptoms of meningitis include | 1.Hyperthermia(temperature > 104 degrees 2.Chills 3.N&V(Nausea & vomiting) 4.Severe cephalalgia(head pain) caused by an increased ICP (IntraCranial Pressure) 5.Stiff neck 6.Rash 7.Seizures 8.Coma(unconsciousness without response to stimuli) |
The hyperthermia (temperature > 104 degrees) can cause | delirium(confusion), convulsions, and coma(unconsciousness without response to stimuli) |
Dx of meningitis is confirmed with a | LP(Lumbar Puncture) AKA "spinal tap" |
The CSF (Cerebral Spinal Fluid) will contain | protein, leukocytes(white blood cells) and the infecting organism |
Tx for meningitis include | 1.Antibiotic therapy for bacterial infections 2.Antipyretics(Tylenol, Motrin) for pyrexia(fever) control 3.IV(IntraVenous) therapy for dehydration |
Without Tx permanent brain damage may occur causing | blindness, deafness, paralysis, mental retardation(low IQ{Intelligence Quotient}), hydrocephalus(abnormal accumulation of fluid in the brain caused by an obstruction of the normal flow of CSF(Cerebral Spinal Fluid) and death |
Meningitis is most commonly caused by | meningococcus or pneumococcus |
Immunizations for meningococcal infections include | Menactra and Menomune |
Immunizations for pneumococcal infections include | Pneumovax 23 and Pnu-Immune 23 |
Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain usually caused by | herpes simplex I, influenza, rubeola(measles), parotitis(mumps), rubella(german measles), varicella(chicken pox) and arbovirus(west nile virus) |
Signs & symptoms of encephalitis range from mild to severe and may include | 1.Cephalalgia(headache) 2.Pyrexia(fever) 3.Lethargy(Mental sluggishness) 4.Personality changes 5.Seizures 6.Paralysis |
Risk factors for encephalitis include | 1.Children 2.Elderly 3.Those who are immunocompromised |
Dx of encephalitis is confirmed with a | LP (Lumbar Puncture) |
Treatment of encephalitis include | 1.Controlling pyrexia(fever) and ICP(Inter Cranial Pressure) 2.Maintain fluid and electrolyte balance 3.Careful monitoring of respiratory and kidney function |
Rabies is an inflammatory disease of the | brain and spinal cord |
Rabies is transmitted through | bites and scratches of rabid animals |
Animals that commonly contract rabies are | 1.Dogs 2.Cats 3.Wolves 4.Raccoons 5.Skunks 6.Foxes 7.Bats 8.Humans |
The onset of symptoms for rabies usually appear | 3 weeks to 3 months after exposure |
Signs & symptoms of rabies include | 1.Pyrexia(fever) 2.Generalized pain 3.Mental derangement(insanity) 4.Rage 5.Convulsions 6.Paralysis 7.Hydrophobia(fear of water 8.Aphagia(inability to swallow) 9.A production of a profuse sticky frothy saliva(foam at the mouth) |
Once visible symptoms develop, the mortality rate for rabies is almost | 100% |
Treatment (Tx) for rabies include | 3 subQ antirabies injections over 3 weeks(1 injection per week) |
Animals infected with rabies exhibit a change in temperament such as | 1.Wild animals may act tame 2.The tameness is followed by a furious stage where the animal bits everything |
In the final stage of rabies there is | foaming at the mouth and death |
Shingles is an acute(sudden) and Chronic(reaccuring) sensory neuritis caused by the letency(time between exposure & symptoms) effect of the | varicella zoster(chicken pox) virus |
Shingles is AKA | herpes zoster |
Herpes zoster is the sequela(afermath) of | varicella zoster(chicken pox) |
Signs & symptoms of shingles include | 1.A painful unilateral(one-side) vesicular(blisters) rash 2.Pruritus(itching) 3.Scarring(cicatrices) |
An outbreak of shingles commonly lasts | 2-4 weeks |
Shingles most commonly occurs in people over the age of | 50 |
An immunization that is 50% effective and recommended for people over age 60 who have had varicella zoster(chicken pox) is called | Zostavax |
Tx of shingles includes | 1.Antiviral therapy(Zovirax) 2.Narcotic analgesics(vicodin) 3.Antipruritics(Caladryl) 4.SAIDs(steriodal anti-inflammatory drugs) THERE IS NO CURE |
Activation of the dormant VZV(Varicella Zoster Virus) is associated with | 1.A compromised immune system 2.Poorly controlled stress |
Reye's Syndrome(RS) is an encephalopathy(disease condition of the brain) associated with the combination of | children, viral infections and the use of ASA(aspirin) |
RS(Reye's Syndrome) can cause an increased | ICP (IntraCranial Pressure) |
Signs & symptoms of Reye's Syndrome (RS) include | 1.Persistent vomiting 2.Personality changes 3.Lethargy(mental sluggishness) 4.Confusion 5.Seizures 6.Coma(unconsciousness without response to stimuli) |
Rx for Reye's Syndrome(RS) includes | 1.Controlling cerebral swelling 2.Lowering ICP(IntraCranial Pressure) with the use of steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(SAIDs){Decadron} |
With proper Tx the recovery rate of Reye's Syndrome (RS) is | 85-90% |
Tetanus is an acute(sudden) infection of motor neurons caused by | the tetanus bacillus that lives in the intestines of animals and humans |
Tetanus is found in | fecal material |
Tetanus bacilli persist as spores indefinitely (40+ years) in the | soil |
Wounds most susceptible to tetanus are | ragged lacerated(cut or torn) tissue contaminated with soil |
Tetanus produces a powerful toxin that circulates to the | motor neurons(nerve cells) |
Affected motor neurons cause the muscles to become rigid with | painful spasms and convulsions |
The first muscles to be affected by tetanus are located in the | jaw, hence the name "lockjaw" |
These muscles cannot relax and the mouth is | tightly closed |
The neck is stiff and there is | dysphagia(difficulty swallowing) |
If muscles of ventilation(breathing) are affected | asphyxiation(suffocation) can occur |
Tetanus has an incubation period of | 1 to 3 weeks and the toxin travels slowly |
Tx of tetanus includes | 1.Debridement of the wound 2.Administration of Td(Tetanus & diphtheria booster immunization) |
Debridement means | thorough cleansing, removal of necrosed tissue, and removal of FBs(foreign bodys) |
Multiple Sclerosis(MS) is an idiopathic(unknown cause) autoimmune, chronic(reoccuring) progressive degenerative disease of the | CNS(Central Nervous System) |
MS(Multiple Sclerosis) usually effects adult women(2/3) between the ages of | 20 to 40 |
The most common form of Multiple Sclerosis(MS) is called | Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) |
Signs & symptoms of MS (Multiple Sclerosis) include | 1.Loss of balance 2.Ataxia(no coordination) 3.Tingling/numbness in extremities 4.Shaking tremor 5.Progressive fatigue/muscular weakness 6.Dysphasia(difficulty speaking) 7.Enuresis(loss of bladder control) 8.Blurred vision & diplopia(double vision) |
Signs & symptoms of MS (Multiple Sclerosis) continued | 9.Nystagmus(involuntary rapid eye movement) 10.Blindness 11.Cognitive dysfunciton(comprehension memory, judgement & reasoning) 12.Decreased libido(sex drive) 13.ED(erectile dysfunction 14.MDD(Major Depressive Disorder) |
Tx of MS(Multiple Sclerosis) includes | Betaseron(interferon) to decrease the severity of symptoms and slow the progression |
The risk factor for Multiple Sclerosis(MS) increases with a | high fat diet and growing up in a cold climate |
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis(ALS) is AKA | Lou Gehrig's disease |
ALS(Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) is an | idiopathic(unknown disease) terminal(ends in death) neurological disease causing a progressive loss of motor neurons |
Symptoms of Amyotropic Lateral Sclerosis(ALS) include | 1.Atrophy(no development) of muscles in arms & legs 2.Muscular dysfunction of the mouth and throat 3.Muscular twitching |
Death from Amyotropic Lateral Sclerosis(ALS) usually occurs | 3 to 5 years after onset of symptoms and generally results from pulmonary failure |
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis(ALS) commonly occurs during the | 50s or 60s |
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis(ALS) is slightly more common in | men |
Diagnosis(Dx) of Amyotropic Lateral Sclerosis(ALS) is confirmed with an | EMG(ElectroMyoGraphy) |
Parkinson's Disease (PD) is an idiopathic(unknown disease) and gradual progressive degeneration of the neurons(nerve cells) that control | body movement & coordination |
People afflicted with PD(Parkinson's disease) produce insufficient amounts of a neurotransmitter in the brain called | dopamine |
Parkinson's disease(PD) is more common in Caucasian men and the average age of onset is | 50 |
Signs & symptoms of Parkinson's Disease(PD) include(14 total) | Tremors/pill-rolling*rigid muscles & myalgia*loss of reflexes*mask-like facial expression*shuffling hurried gait*Bradykinesia(slow movement)*stooped posture*dysphagia(difficult swallowing)*monotone speech*incontinence(inability to control bladder/bowel) |
signs & symptoms of Parkinson's Disease(PD) continued | constipation(difficult defecation)*loss of libido(sex drive)*ED(Erectile dysfunction*MDD(Major Depressive Disorder) |
Tx for Parkinson's Disease(PD) includes | 1.AntiParkinsons medications(Sinemet) 2.PT(Physical Therapy) 3.Tandem bike riding(bicycle built for 2) |
Alzheimer's Disease(AD) is a | progressive degenerative genetic brain disease causing dementia usually after age 60 |
Alzheimer's Disease(AD) is associated with the build up of a protein in the brain called | beta amyloid |
Dementia is a | deteriorating cognitive(comprehension reasoning, judgment, & memory) abilities |
The seven warning signs of AD(Alzheimer's disease) include | 1.Asking the same question over & over again 2.repeating the same story, word for word, again & again 3.Forgetting how to cook, make repairs,play cards-activities that were previously done with ease & regularity |
The seven warning signs of AD(Alzheimer's disese) continued | 4.Losing one's ability to pay bills or balance one's checkbook 5.Getting lost in familiar surroundings, or misplacing household objects 6.Neglecting to bathe,wearing the same clothes over &over again 7.Relying on someone else to make decisions/answer ?'s |
When Alzheimer's disease (AD) becomes more sever after dark, it is called | sundowning |
Alzheimer's diease(AD) can cause | depression, irritability, aggressiveness & delusions(false beliefs( |
Eventually a person with AD(Alzheimer's disease) will need | complete care |
Familial Alzheimer's Disease(FAD) accounts for less than | 5% of cases |
Alzheimer's Disease(AD) is usually diagnosed after age 65 & every five years afterwards the incidence | doubles |
The duration of Alzheimer's Disease(AD) can be | 2 to 20 years |
Alzheimer's disease(AD) affects more | women(1 in 4) then men(1 in 6) |
Increased risk of Alzheimer's disease(AD) is associated with | obesity, chronic HTN(hypertension) and DM (diabetes mellitus) |
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is diagnosed when other conditions are ruled out and with the use of a | PET(Positron emission tomography) |
Research suggests Alzheimer's Disease(AD) risk is lowered by | regular mental & physical activity & a health diet |
A common medication used to treat Alzheimer's disease(AD) is | Aricept |
Epilepsy is abnormal electrical activity that spreads over the cerebrum & can manifest itself as a | seizure |
Epilepsy can be caused by | 1.Brain damage 2.BT(Brain Tumor) 3.EOTH(alcohol) and/or drug use 4.Uremia(azotemia--excessive nitrogenious waste in the blood) 5.Meningitis or encephalitis 6.Toxemia(eclampsia) 7.Hyperthermia(body temp>104oF) 8.Heredity |
Types of seizures include: | 1.Grand mal seizures(convulsions) 2.Petit mal(absence) seizures |
Grand mal seizures are characterized by | a.LOC(Loss of Consciousness) b.Tongue biting c.Hypersalivation d.Enuresis(loss of bladder control) e.Tonic-clonic movements |
Tonic-clonic movements are | rapid contractin & relaxation of the muscles |
Petit mal(absence) seizures are characterized by | a.Eyelid fluttering, lip smacking, & chewing motions b.Loss of awareness(10-30 seconds) c.No memory of seizure |
Petit mal(absence) seizures are more common in | children |
A warning sign or symptom of an impending seizure is called an | aura |
Seizures can be followed by a confused and lethargic(mental sluggishness) state of mind lasting 5-30 minutes called a | postictal state(post/after, ict/o-seizure) |
Diagnosis(Dx) of epilepsy is confirmed with an | EEG(ElectroEncephaloGram) and MRI(Magnetic Resonance Imaging) |
A life threatening persistent seizure lasting more than 30 minutes is called | status epilepticus |
Treatment(Tx) for epilepsy includes | antiseizure medications(Dilantin) |
Hydrocephalus is an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the brain caused by an obstruction of the normal flow of | CSF(Cerebral Spinal Fluid) |
Hydrocephalus causes the brain to be compressed resulting in | 1.Mental retardation(low intelligence quotient(IQ)) 2.Failure to grow normally 3.Prominent forehead 4.Bulging eyes 5.Frightened expression 6.Veins of the scalp are prominent |
Tx for hydrocephalus includes | surgical placement of a shunt(detour) to relieve the ICP(IntraCranial Pressure) |
Spina Bifida(SB) is a congenital(developed while in the womb/not genetic) NTD(Neural Tube Defect) where | one or more vertebrae fail to develop |
Spina Bifida(SB) can be accompanied by one or more of the following(usually does not see SB all by itself) | a.Hydrocephalus(abnormal accumulation of fluid in the brain caused by an obstruction of the normal flow of CSF(CerebralSpinal Fluid). b.Cleft lip and/or cleft palate c.Club foot d.Esotropia(crossed eyed) |
Four types of Spina Bifida(SB) include | 1.(SBO) Spina Bifida Occulta(hidden) 2. Meningocele 3. Meningomyelocele(myel/o-spinal cord)**worst type of Spina Bifida(SB) 4. Myelocele |
(SBO) Spina Bifida Occulta(hidden) can cause | a.Incorrect posture b.Inability to walk c.Incontinence(loss of bladder and/or bowel control) d.A tuft of hair over the vertebral defect |
A meningocele is characterized by the | meninges protruding through the opening in the vertebral defect |
A menignocele can be corrected by | surgery |
A meningomyelocele is characterized by the | meninges & spinal cord protruding through the opening in the vertebral defect |
Meningomyelocele can cause | mental retardation(low IQ/intelligence quotient), failure to develop & paralysis |
This vertebral defect can be corrected by | surgery |
A myelocele is characterized by | a disorganized spinal cord that is exposed(can see the spinal cord) |
A myelocele is usually | fatal |
Prophylactic(preventive) Tx for (SB) Spina Bifida includes | three months pregravida(before pregnancy) folic acid(folate) supplements of 400 mcg/day(micrograms) |
Rich sources of folic acid(folate) include | broccoli, spinach, asparagus, legumes(beans & peas), strawberries, oranges & bananas |
Cerebral palsy(CP) is a non-progressive brain damage resulting in mental and/or motor retardation before the age of | three(3) |
Causes of Cerebral Palsy(CP) include | 1.Gestational rubella(german measles during pregnancy) infection 2.Drugs and/or alcohol(ETOH) during gestation(pregnancy) 3.Hypoxia(deficient oxygen/O2) in utero 4.Erythroblastosis fetalis(Rh incompatibility disease) |
Cerebral Palsy(CP) can also be | idiopathic(unknown cause) |
Cerebral Vascular Accident(CVA) is AKA | stroke |
A Cerebral Vascular Accident(CVA) is brain damage commonly resulting from | 1.Cerebral aneurysm(weakness in an arterial septum) 2.Cerebral infarction(obstruction/occlusion of an artery) |
A cerebral aneurysm can be detected with | cerebral angiography(process of recording the cerebral arteries) |
Risk factors for a Cerebral Vascular Accident(CVA) include | 1.Atherosclerosis(hardening of the arteries caused by fatty plaque) 2.Chronic HTN(HyperTeNsion) 3.A-fib(artial fibrillation) |
Atrial fibrillation(A-fib) is an arrhythmia associated with | thrombus(clot) formation |
Increased risk of CVA(Cerebral Vascular Accident) has been linked to a deficiency of | vitamin C and folate(folic acid) |
Cerebral Vascular Accident (CVAs) usually occur after the age of | 55 |
Cerebral Vascular Accident(CVA) risk is | 1 in 5 for women over 55 and 1 in 6 for men over 55 |
African-Americans are ____ as likely to have a Cerebral Vascular Accident (CVA) than caucasians | twice |
Signs & symptoms of a Cerebral Vascular Accident(CVA) include | 1.Dysphasia(difficult swallowing 2.Blurred vision 3.Ataxia(No coordination) 4.Vertigo(dizziness) 5.N&V(nausa & vomitin) 6.Hemiparesis 7.Hemiplegia 8.LOC(Loss of Consciousness) 9.FAST(Facial drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time |
Dx of a Cerebral Vascular Accident(CVA) is confirmed with a | CT(Computerized Tomography) |
Tx of a Cerebral Vascular Accident(CVA) includes | 1.Thrombolytic(clot buster) therapy(Activase) is effective within the first 3 hours of the onset of symptoms for a CVA caused by an embolus (floating clot) 2.Antihypertensives(Tenormin) 3.Anticoagulants(Coumadin) |
Once the brain tissue necroses(dies) it will not | regenerate(repair) |
Rehabilitation for a Cerebral Vascular Accident(CVA) entails | teaching non-damaged parts of the brain to perform the duties of the necrosed brain tissue |
Hemiparesis means | sensory or motor nerves on either right or left side of the body are paralized |
Hemiplegia means | can't feel/sense or move/ paralysis on one side of the body) |