Cerebral Flashcards
What is a concussion?
-Transient and reversible
-Results from trauma to the head
-Instantaneous loss of awareness and responsiveness lasting for minutes to hours
-Generally followed by amnesia and confusion
What is the difference between coup and contrecoup?
Coup: bruising at the point of impact
Contrecoup: bruising at the site removed from the point of impact
What are the symptoms of post concussive syndrome?
-Fatigue
-Poor concentration
-Dizziness
-Headache
-Mood Swings
What are the symptoms of brain trauma?
-Hypoxic brain injury
-Increased ICP
-Infection
-Cerebral edema
-Potential long-term effects
-Growth and development
Memory and intelligence
-Behavior
What are the characteristics of hydrocephalus in a neonate?
head enlargement (increasing occipitofrontal circumference), bulging fontanels, dilated scalp veins, sutures palpably separated and produce cracked pot sound, frontal protrusion, depressed eyes (setting-sun), pupils sluggish and unequal to light
What is the difference between the adult and the infant Glasgow Coma scale?
cant expect to always obey commands, under 2 yrs cant really assess orientation/confusion, want to record best response, withdraw from pain vs. localizing it, verbal - cooing, etc.
What actions should be taken when a child is experiencing a seizure?
-Try to be calm
-Time seizure episode
-Ease the child to the floor
-Place pillow or blanket under the child’s head
-Loosen restrictive clothing
-Remove eye glasses
-Clear the area of hazards
-Allow seizures to end without interference
DO NOT:
-Attempt to restrain child or use force to control their movements
-Put anything in the child’s mouth
-Give any food or liquids
What information about a child who has fallen can you find from a CT scan?
head injury (brain bleed) & spinal injury
Which vaccinations decrease the risk of meningitis?
Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) and pneumococcal vaccines
What is a risk factor for Reye syndrome?
common viral illness such as varicella or use of aspirin
What are the characteristics of Epilepsy?
two or more unprovoked seizures more than 24 hrs apart
What nursing assessments are necessary when a child is admitted with a head injury?
GCS, neuro assessment, s/s of increased ICP
How do you assess a child’s level of consciousness (LOC)?
dependent on baseline developmental abilities; recognition, cry (high pitched), irritability, verbal ability, pupil assessment, posture, movement, reflexes, feeding behavior, fontanels, sutures change in LOC precedes changes in VS
