2 Neuro Flashcards
Layers of the brain (inner to outer)
Pia mater
Arachnoid
Dura
Nervous system is complete at birth but its what
Immature (waiting on myelinization)
Cranial bones and vertebrae are what
Not fully ossified
Immature muscles/ligaments (why we sit rearseated)
Risk for fx and head injuries
Peds neuro assessment
8
Health hx (birth hx)
Look before touching
Loc
Fontanel/suture assessment (until 3)
Head circumference measurement (until 3)
Pupil assessment
Movement/posture (primitive vs protective reflex)
-decorticate/decerebrate (also need to know reflexes
Signs of increased ICP
Peds GCS differences
For best response to auditory and verbal stimulus
There is seperate sections for over 2 and under 2
-under 2 is less verbal and more observations like crying
Decorticate vs decerebrate
Decorticate (toward the core you get more score on GCS) -not as bad
-flexed
Decerebrate:
-extention (worse)
Increased ICP
3 components
What causes it (5)
Increased pressure exerted by: brain/CSF/blood
Causes:
-brain tumor
-head trauma
-hematoma
-hydrocephalus
-infection
Increased ICP
Early signs
Non head related:9
Head related: 6
HA
Vomiting
Blurred/double vision
Dizziness
Decreased pulse
Increased BP
Irritable
Seizure activity
High pitched cry (sounds like a kitten)
Head related:
Bulging/tense fontanel
Wide sutures
Increased head circumference
Dilated scalp veins
Pupils sluggish/unequal
Sunset eyes
Increased ICP
Late signs (5)
Lowered loc
Bradycardia
Cheyne-stokes resp
Decerebrate/decorticate posturing
Fixed/dilated pupils
Cushings triad (increased ICP)
Bradycardia
Cheyne-stokes resp
Widening pulse pressures (systolic/dialstolic get further apart)
Is pulsating fontanel normally?
Yes
Increased ICP
Nursing management
ABC’s
Elevate HOB 30 minimum
Strict I/O, DW, fluid restrictions
Monitor electrolyte balance
Reduce agitation (less noise/visitors)
Increased ICP
Meds
Mannitol (osmotic diuretic)
3% hypertonic saline
These temporarily fix issue need to fix actual problem
Neural tube defects (anencephaly, encephalocele)
What is it
Causes (4)
Failure of neural tube to close by 4th week of gestation
Causes:
-folic acid deficiency
-previous neural tube defect
-drug use
-genetics
Neural tube defects (anencephaly, encephalocele)
Preventions
400 mcg folic acid daily
Higher dose for women with hx of neural tube defect
Anencephaly
-what does it look like
-born without what
-is it compatible with life?
Small or missing brain hemispheres, skull, scalp
Born without a forebrain and cerebrum
Remaining rain tissue may be exposed
Incompatible with life
Encephalocele
What does it look like
Prognosis depends on what
Often accompanied by (6)
Protrusion of the brain and meninges thru a skull deficit
Prgnosis depend on size of encephalocele and involvement of other brain structures
Accompanied by:
Craniofacial abnormalities
Hydrocephalus
Microcephaly
Visual problems
Developmental delay
Seizures
Encephalocele
Surgical repair
Nursing care
Sx:
-placement of tissue back into skull and removal of sac
-VP(ventriculoperitonial shunt) placed to correct hydrocephalus
-corrective repair of any craniofacial abnormalities
Nursing:
-monitor for hydrocephalus
-increased ICP
Hydrocephalus
Too much CSF on brain
Microcephaly
Define?
Congenital vs acquired
Results in?
Tx
Defined as hc greater than 3 standard deviations below the mean for the age and sex of the infant
Generally resuts in intellectual disability
No tx (just support)
Congential microcephaly
Abnormal development
Chromosomal abdnormalities
Exposure to infection (rubella, toxoplasmosis, CMV)
Acquired microcephaly
Severe malnutrition
Perinatal infections
Anoxic events in infancy
Positional plagiocephaly
What happens
Result of what (4)
Asymmetry in head shape without fused suture
Result of:
-cranial molding
-flattening of the occiput
-safe sleep position
-torticollis (neck muscles cause them turn to 1 side)
Positional plagiocephaly
Prevention
Tx
P:
-daily tummy time
-alternate head position during sleep
Tx:
PT
Customized helmet to reshape the skull
Hydrocephalus
What is it
Leads to what
Imbalance between production and absorption CSF
Leads to:
Increase in CSF circulating volume—>increased ICP
Hydrocephalus
Nonobstructive vs obstructive
Nonobstructive:
-flow of CSF blocked AFTER it exits the ventricles
-defective absorption
Obstructive:
-flow of CSF blocked WITHIN the ventricular system
Hydrocephalus
S/s
S/s of increased ICP:
Increased HC
Bulging fontanels/seperating sutures (when young)
Irritability/change loc
N/V/HA
Sunsetting eyes
Poor feeding
Hydrocephalus
Tx
Surgical correction of structural deformities
Remove or bypass obstruction
VP(ventroperitonel) or VA(ventriculoatrial) shunt
Hydrocephalus
Shunt care
Place on opposite side of shunt incision
Keep (clean/dry/intact) (no wet cloths=infection)
Keep flat to prevent rapid reduction of CSF
Monitor for shunt failure (doesnt work), infection
Hydrocephalus
Shunt complications
Shunt malfunction: sx to replace shunt
Shunt infection:
-Sx to externalize shunt
-EVD: external ventricular drain
-IV abx