Loss of function

Healthwise
By Jan Nissl, RN, BS

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Signs of loss of function include:

  • Confusion or altered behavior, such as the inability to fully wake a person from sleep, or unusually aggressive or combative behavior.
  • Dizziness (vertigo) or loss of balance that occurs with nausea or vomiting or that prevents standing or walking.
  • Fainting (syncope) or loss of consciousness.
  • Headache that is severe and in a specific area without another apparent cause.
  • Inability to speak, difficulty speaking, or difficulty understanding speech.
  • Numbness, loss of all feeling, or inability to move (paralysis) in part or all of one side of the body, such as the face, an arm, or a leg.
  • Sudden inability to walk or stand or difficulty walking or standing (ataxia).
  • Vision problems, such as double vision or sudden dimness, blurring, or loss of vision in one or both eyes.

Credits

Author Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Editor Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor Tracy Landauer
Primary Medical Reviewer William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Last Updated January 13, 2009
Last Updated: 01/13/2009