Chapter 57 Nursing Management: Acute Intracranial Problems

Question 1

brain abscess, p. 1381

Answer 1

an accumulation of pus within the brain tissue that can result from a local or a systemic infection from another source, such as the skull, sinuses, or other structures in the head.

Question 2

cerebral edema, p. 1359

Answer 2

increased accumulation of fluid in the extravascular spaces of brain tissue that can lead to increased intracranial pressure.

Question 3

coma, p. 1359

Answer 3

a profound state of unconsciousness.

Question 4

concussion, p. 1369

Answer 4

a sudden transient mechanical head injury, such as a blow or explosion, with disruption of neural activity and a change in the level of consciousness.

Question 5

contusion, p. 1370

Answer 5

the bruising of the brain tissue within a focal area without altering the integrity of the pia mater and arachnoid layers.

Question 6

diffuse axonal injury (DAI), p. 1370

Answer 6

Diffuse axonal injury (DAI) is widespread axonal damage occurring after a mild, moderate, or severe TBI. The damage occurs primarily around axons in the subcortical white matter of the cerebral hemispheres, basal ganglia, thalamus, and brainstem.

Question 7

encephalitis, p. 1384

Answer 7

an acute inflammation of the brain usually caused by a virus.

Question 8

epidural hematoma, p. 1370

Answer 8

collection of blood between the dura and inner surface of the skull, producing compression of the dura mater and thus of the brain.

Question 9

Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), p. 1365

Answer 9

assessment tool for altered states of consciousness that evaluates motor responses, verbal responses, and eye opening.

Question 10

head injury, p. 1368

Answer 10

Head injury includes any injury or trauma to the scalp, skull, or brain. A serious form of head injury is traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Question 11

intracerebral hematoma, p. 1371

Answer 11

collection of blood within the parenchyma of the brain, possibly from the rupture of an intracerebral vessel at the time of a head injury.

Question 12

intracranial pressure (ICP), p. 1357

Answer 12

the hydrostatic force measured in the brain cerebrospinal fluid compartment.

Question 13

meningitis, p. 1381

Answer 13

an acute inflammation of the pia mater and the arachnoid membrane surrounding the brain and the spinal cord.

Question 14

nuchal rigidity, p. 1382

Answer 14

resistance to flexion of the neck.

Question 15

subdural hematoma, p. 1371

Answer 15

a collection of blood between the dura mater and the arachnoid layer of the meninges of the brain that is generally of venous origin, usually caused by injury.

Question 16

unconsciousness, p. 1359

Answer 16

abnormal state of complete or partial unawareness of self or environment.