Neurological Critical Care Flashcards

A patient presents in status epilepticus. What is the first-line medication class for rapid seizure termination?

Answer: Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines such as lorazepam are first-line for stopping status epilepticus.

Status epilepticus is generally defined as continuous seizure activity lasting at least how long, or recurrent seizures without recovery?

Answer: 5 minutes or more

Current definitions treat 5 or more minutes of continuous seizure activity as status epilepticus.

During an active generalized tonic-clonic seizure, which nursing action is the priority?

Answer: Protect the airway and prevent injury

Maintaining the airway and preventing injury are the priorities during an active seizure.

A patient is diagnosed with brain death. Which finding is consistent with this diagnosis?

Answer: Absent brainstem reflexes including no corneal or gag response

Brain death requires absence of all brainstem reflexes, including corneal, gag, and pupillary responses.

An apnea test for brain death is considered positive (supporting brain death) when which result occurs?

Answer: No respiratory effort despite a rising PaCO2 above the threshold

Absence of respiratory effort despite a markedly elevated PaCO2 supports brain death.

A patient with a high cervical spinal cord injury develops hypotension and bradycardia shortly after injury. This is most consistent with which condition?

Answer: Neurogenic shock

Neurogenic shock causes hypotension with bradycardia from loss of sympathetic tone after cord injury.

A patient with a T4 spinal cord injury suddenly develops a pounding headache, severe hypertension, and flushing above the lesion. What is the priority action?

Answer: Sit the patient upright and identify the noxious stimulus

Autonomic dysreflexia is treated by sitting the patient up and removing the triggering stimulus such as a full bladder.