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Peds - Chapter 33
Vocab
46
Nursing
Undergraduate 2
08/07/2013

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Term
anencephaly
Definition
No development of the brain above the brainstem, most severe congenital malformation of the central nervous system.
Term
areflexia
Definition
No reflex response to verbal, sensory, or pain stimulation.
Term
assistive technology
Definition
A piece of equipment or system modified or customized to improve or maintain functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.
Term
aura
Definition
Subjective sensation, often olfactory or visual in nature, that is an early sign of a migraine headache or a seizure.
Term
automatisms
Definition
Unusual or typical body movements without purpose such as lip smacking, lip chewing, sucking in association with a seizure.
Term
autonomic dysreflexia
Definition
Condition in which hypertension, bradycardia, severe headaches, pallor below and flushing above the level of the spinal cord lesion, and seizures occur due to an impaired autonomic nervous system, triggered by simultaneous sympathetic and parasympathetic activity.
Term
Brudzinski sign
Definition
If flexing the child's head while in a supine position makes the knees or hips flex involuntarily, a positive Brudzinski sign is present; this is a common sign in meningitis.
Term
cerebral edema
Definition
Increase in intracellular and extracellular fluid in the brain that results from anoxia, vasodilation, or vascular stasis.
Term
cerebral perfusion pressure
Definition
Amount of pressure needed to ensure that adequate oxygen and nutrients are delivered to the brain.
Term
clonic
Definition
Alternating muscular contraction and relaxation; rhythmic repetitive jerking, often used to describe seizure activity.
Term
cognitive power
Definition
The ability to process the data and respond either verbally or physically.
Term
coma
Definition
State of unconsciousness in which the patient cannot be aroused, even with powerful stimuli.
Term
consciousness
Definition
The responsiveness of the mind to sensory stimuli, consciousness has two components: alertness and cognitive power.
Term
contrecoup injury
Definition
Brain injury resulting from inertial forces, the acceleration-deceleration movement of the brain within the skull.
Term
coup injury
Definition
Brain injury resulting from a direct blow to the head.
Term
Cushing triad
Definition
Reflex response associated with increased intracranial pressure or compromised blood flow to the brainstem, characterized by hypertension, increased systolic pressure with wide pulse pressure, bradycardia, and irregular respirations.
Term
drowning
Definition
Death from suffocation in the first 24 hours after submersion in a liquid.
Term
encephalocele
Definition
Protrusion of meningeal tissue or meningeal-covered brain through a defect in the skull.
Term
encephalopathy
Definition
Cerebral dysfunction resulting from an insult (toxin, injury, inflammation, or anoxic event) of limited duration; the tissue damage is often permanent, but the dysfunction may improve over time.
Term
focal
Definition
Located in one hemisphere or a specific area of the cerebral cortex.
Term
fontanels
Definition
Spaces of connective tissue covering the brain at the junction of skull bones that gradually close and ossify.
Term
herniation
Definition
Protrusion of brain contents through the cranial vault at the base of the skull.
Term
hypotonia
Definition
Floppiness, increased joint range of motion, and diminished reflex response.
Term
intracranial pressure
Definition
Force exerted by brain tissue, cerebrospinal fluid, and blood within the cranial vault.
Term
intractable seizures
Definition
Seizures that continue to occur even with optimal medical management.
Term
Kernig sign
Definition
Resistance or pain when a child's leg is raised with the knee flexed and then extended at the knee is a positive Kernig sign, a common finding in meningitis.
Term
Level of Consciousness (LOC)
Definition
General description of cognitive, sensory, and motor response to stimuli.
Term
meningocele
Definition
A spinal fluid-filled meningeal sac protruding through a vertebral defect, associated with no abnormalities of the spinal cord.
Term
meningomyelocele
Definition
A spinal fluid-filled meningeal sac that contains a portion of the spinal cord and nerves protruding through a vertebral defect.
Term
microcephaly
Definition
A small brain with a head circumference greater than 3 standard deviations below the mean for age and sex.
Term
myelination
Definition
The progressive covering of axons with layers of myelin or a lipid protein sheath.
Term
myelodysplasia
Definition
Any malformation of the spinal cord and spinal canal.
Term
myelominingocele (meningomyelocele)
Definition
A spinal fluid-filled meningeal sac that contains a portion of the spinal cord and nerves protruding through a vertebral defect.
Term
nuchal rigidity
Definition
Resistance to neck flexion.
Term
opisthotonic position
Definition
Rigid hyperextension of the entire body; hyperextension of the head and neck to relieve discomfort.
Term
persistent vegetative state
Definition
Permanent loss of function of the cerebral cortex retaining only reflexive responses.
Term
postictal period
Definition
Period after seizure activity during which the level of consciousness is decreased.
Term
posturing
Definition
Abnormal position assumed after injury or damage to the brain that may be seen as extreme flexion or extension of the limbs.
Term
seizures
Definition
Periods of abnormal electrical discharges (excessive concurrent firing) of the cortical neuronal network of cells on the surface of the brain that cause involuntary movement and behavior and sensory alterations.
Term
spina bifida
Definition
A defect in one or more vertebrae through which spinal cord contents can protrude.
Term
spina bifida occulta
Definition
A vertebral defect without visible protrusion of the meninges or spinal cord tissue.
Term
status epilepticus
Definition
A continuous seizure that lasts for more than 30 minutes or a series of seizures during which consciousness is not regained.
Term
stupor
Definition
Deep sleep or unresponsiveness with arousal only to repeated vigorous stimulation.
Term
sunsetting eyes
Definition
A condition in which the sclera is visible above the iris.
Term
tonic
Definition
Continuous muscular contraction; sustained stiffening, often used to describe seizure activity.
Term
unconsciousness
Definition
Depressed cerebral function, or the inability of the brain to respond to stimuli.
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