Altered Level of Consciousness
Encephalitis
Head Injury
Hypoglycemia
Metabolic disease
- Describe the anatomy and physiology of the central and peripheral nervous systems
- Describe in basic terms the pathophysiology of brain injury
- Describe how the brain maintains consciousness, how unconsciousness occurs and the differences between unconsciousness and sleep
- Name and classify the most common CNS pathogens, based on organism type and area of brain commonly affected
- List toxic agents that can cause altered level of consciousness and describe their mechanisms of action
- Discuss the indications for the use of the different modalities available to assess neurologic structure and function
- Describe metabolic and electrolyte abnormalities that cause altered level of consciousness
Overview & Foundational Knowledge
| Learn Pediatrics: Approach to the Comatose Child
http://learn.pediatrics.ubc.ca/body-systems/nervous-syste/approach-to-the-comatose-child/ Nicely structured and practical approach. Definitions of various stats of comatose child. Questions to ask on history, differential diagnosis of comatose child, physical examination findings and management |
| Avner JR. Altered States of Consciousness. Pediatrics in Review 2006; 27 (9): 331-338. Approach to altered level of consciousness. Common causes, differential diagnosis, (quite detailed) table on herniation syndromes and management. |
Virtual Patients or Cases
| Altered Level of Consciousness
Patient case on altered level of consciousness. Podcast on altered level of consciousness also available. |
Cards
| Abdominal Pain / Mass
Altered Level of Consciousness Canuc-Paeds physician authored, replayable cases |
