DISORDERS OF THE NEUROLOGICAL SYSTEM (RRD#10) EXAM REVIEW 2022

Maintenance of cerebral blood flow is dependent on keeping what two forces in balance? - ANS-cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) and intracranial pressure (ICP) What is cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP)? - ANS-the pressure required to get oxygenated blood into the brain to perfuse the cells of the brain. If it is too low or too high, cerebral edema and increased ICP can result. What is intracranial pressure (ICP)? - ANS-the totality of pressures in the brain: arterial pressures + venous pressures + CSF pressures, etc. because the cranium is a bony structure, very little increase in pressure in the brain can be tolerated. What is the main culprit that causes an increase in ICP? - ANS-cerebral edema What can cause cerebral edema? - ANS-ischemia from a blockage of an artery in the brain (hypoxia), brain tumors, injuries, irritants (infections, acidosis), hypertension / hypotension, etc. What is a "brain attack" or a stroke? - ANS-the process of any interruption of the normal blood supply to a part of the brain or the entire brain, resulting in damaged brain tissue. AKA: stroke, cerebral vascular accident (CVA) What are the most common etiologies of a brain attack? - ANS-atherosclerosis of the cerebral arteries or of the incoming arteries (vertebrals and carotids), hypertension, heart problems that can lead to not enough cardiac output or blood to the brain, and brain aneurysms. What are the risk factors for a brain attack? - ANS-atherosclerosis in any part of the body, hypertension, older age, family history, diabetes, lifestyle issues (smoking and high fat diets) What are the two main types of brain attacks? - ANS-ischemic brain attacks and hemorrhagic brain attacks (although...actually the negative effects of a stroke come from cerebral edema and IICP (which are the result of the stroke)...no matter what type of stroke it is.) How do you know what type of stroke it is or what treatment is best? - ANS-You can't tell from the patient's symptoms...you must have a CT scan (or an MRI) to be able to tell if it is a hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke. Ischemic brain attack is usually caused by a ________ or _______ of the arteries that supply the brain or are in the brain. - ANS-narrowing or blockage. This means that a stroke can be thrombotic or embolic in nature.