Biochemical Investigation of Coma

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Which part of the brain is affected in a coma?

Cerebral cortex

Cerebellum

Hippocampus

Brainstem (correct)

What is the main goal when managing a coma?

To administer pain medication

To restore brain function (correct)

To maintain blood pressure

To perform surgery

What are the two main classifications of the causes of coma?

Supratentoral and infratentoral

Metabolic and diffuse

Structural and non-structural (correct)

Medical and surgical

What is the term used to describe unarousable unresponsiveness?

Coma Signup and view all the answers

Which system in the brain is often affected in coma?

Reticular Activating System Signup and view all the answers

What type of emergencies can result in metabolic comas?

Metabolic emergencies Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of a clinical pathologist/metabolic physician in coma cases?

Diagnose the cause of coma Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe coma resulting from metabolic emergencies?

Metabolic coma Signup and view all the answers

What is the main characteristic of a metabolic coma?

Associated with metabolic emergencies Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe coma caused by damage to the cerebral hemispheres?

Supratentoral coma Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a cause of coma mentioned in the text?

Hyperthyroidism Signup and view all the answers

What does the mnemonic TIPPS stand for?

Trauma, Infection, Poisoning, Psychogenic, Shock Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of biochemical investigations in comatose patients?

To confirm the presence of metabolic, endocrine, and toxicologic causes of coma Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a warning sign that may be found on general physical examination of a comatose patient?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

Which tests are included in the sequence of ordering biochemical investigations for comatose patients?

Serum glucose, E, U & Creatinine, Ca++, Mg++, PO43, Serum Alcohol level, Liver function tests Signup and view all the answers

What does a cherry red color of the lips and mucous membranes suggest in a comatose patient?

Carbon monoxide poisoning Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a metabolic cause of coma?

Hypoxia Signup and view all the answers

What does the absence of lateralizing signs indicate in metabolic comas?

Neurological deficits are bilaterally symmetrical Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a feature of myxoedema coma?

High TSH with low FreeT3/T4 Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of urinalysis and basic metabolic profile in comatose patients?

To confirm the presence of metabolic causes of coma Signup and view all the answers