Neurology — Flashcards

Flashcard 461: _____ are a primary headache marked by unilateral, severe, throbbing pain lasting 4-72 hours

Answer: Migraines

Flashcard 462: The most common level to have a herniated disc is _____

Answer: L5/S1

Flashcard 463: What is the first-line pharmacological agent for raised intracranial pressure? _____

Answer: IV mannitol

Extra: - **Mechanism**: Mannitol is an osmotic diuretic that reduces ICP by withdrawing water from the brain parenchyma into the intravascular compartment. - **Alternatives**: Hypertonic saline (3%) is also considered a first-line agent and is increasingly preferred in some protocols. - **Contraindications**: Anuria, severe pulmonary edema, or active intracranial bleeding (except during craniotomy).

Flashcard 464: What blood investigations are done for suspected meningitis? _____

Answer: Blood cultures

Flashcard 465: Lumbar puncture for bacterial meningitis is contraindicated if _____, focal neurology, & signs of severe shock/sepsis

Answer: signs of ↑ ICP

Flashcard 466: If ICP >_____mmHg then further management may be needed to ↓ ICP

Answer: 20

Flashcard 467: What are the most common causes of viral meningitis? _____

Answer: Coxsackievirus, echovirus (enteroviruses) HSV (HSV2>1)

Flashcard 468: _____ meningitis is the most common type of meningitis

Answer: Viral

Flashcard 469: A patient with raised ICP should be positioned _____

Answer: with head elevation of 30°

Flashcard 470: _____ refers to meningitis and/or septicaemia caused by Neisseria meningitidis

Answer: Meningococcal disease