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Brain Function Disor
Disorders of Brain Function
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Mechanisms of Brain Injury | Ischemia Trauma Tumors Degenerative processes Metabolic derangements Hemorrhage |
| Several common pathways | Hypoxic & ischemic effects Excitatory amino acid injury Cerebral edema Increased intracranial pressure Herniation Hydrocephalus |
| Manifestations of Global Brain Injury | alterations in sensory and motor function changes in level of consciousness (LOC) |
| The most frequent sign of brain dysfunction is | altered LOC behavior changes |
| Consciousness | Alertness with orientation to: Person Place Time Normal speech Voluntary movement Oculomotor activity Normal arousal Normal content of thought |
| Altered LOC | Confused & disoriented Inability to arouse: Lethargic Obtunded Stuporous Comatose |
| Coma | No vocalization No spontaneous eye movement No arousal to a stimulus Brain reflexes are intact Light coma Coma Deep coma |
| Causes for Altered Arousal | Structural, Metabolic & Pycchogenic |
| Skeletal muscle responses | purposeful: follows command refelxive: response to stimuli only, generalized motor movement:ticks twiching or the are not present |
| Abnormal Posturing (in response to stimulus) | DECORTICATE "flexor" arms flex at elbows, hand internally rotate, plantar flexion of legs DECEREBRATE "extensor" pronatinon of arms |
| Alterations in Cerebral Fluid Volume | VASOGENIC:disruption of blood brain barrier; plasma proteins in ECF space CYTOTOXIC:toxic elements cause failure of active transpost mechanisms ISCHEMIC:follows cerebral infarction INTERSTITIAL: movement of CSF from ventricles to extracell tissue |
| ICP | rise in CSF caused by: increase in tissue vol, abcess, hemhorrage, obstruction, deficient absorption |
| Hydrocephalus | Ab increase in CSF volume, communicating or noncommunicating/obstructive |
| evaluation&tx of Hydrocephalus | CT scan or MRI, Shunt, surgery, diuretic therapy |
| Compound fractures of skull |