chronic neuro problems - study this one Flashcards
Functional headaches:
Migraines, tension and cluster headaches
Organic headaches:
(venus and blood vessels cause organic pain)
Originate from pain sensitive areas in the brain:
Venous sinuses, dura mater
Cranial blood vessels
Trigeminal nerve (CNV): Facial nerve (CN VII), glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX), Vagus nerve (CN X) and the first 3 cervical nerves
primary HA - same 3
cluster, migraine, tension
secondary HA
Sinus infection
Neck injury
Stroke, head trauma
migraines associated with what disorders?
Associated with seizure disorders, stroke, asthma, depression, MI
migraine - Prodrome - 1st (premonitory) - what 3 symptoms (PIF, it’s prodrome)
Prodrome (premonitory): Impending signs of migraine. Hrs to days before the HA. Premonitory symptoms: photophobia, irritability, food cravings
migraine - 2nd Pain phase
: unilateral/throbbing: moderate to severe
migraine - 3rd phase - post drome
After migraine pain subsides.
Sx: fatigue, nausea, sensitivity to light, dizziness, body aches and difficulty concentrating.
TENSION HEADACHE
Bilateral pain in the frontal-occipital region
Pressing, dull and constant, bandlike, non-pulsatile quality
Includes neck pain d/t increased tone of cervical and neck muscle
Photophobia, phonophobia
No premonitory symptoms or n/v
Episodic for weeks, months, years or chronic
Pain usually mild to moderate
tension HA - treatment
Relaxation, massage and hot packs, and correction of faulty posture
Local anesthetic injection
tension HA - meds
Non-opioid analgesics, analgesic combination, muscle relaxants
CLUSTER HEADACHE - common age
. Affects men 3x more than women usually age 20-45
CLUSTER HEADACHE - description - what about lacrimation?
Onset: abrupt and an aura may is present in 14% of people
Unilateral intense excruciating pain described as, boring and non-pulsatile, sharp and stabbing
Lasts minutes to hours
Pain around eyes, radiating to temple, forehead, cheek, nose, gums
Ipsilateral lacrimation, nasal congestion, eyelid edema, miosis, facial flushing or pallor
Agitation, restlessness, inability to relax
cluster HA - treatment
Serotonin receptor agonists: Triptans 1st line of treatment
Oxygen : 100% via non-rebreather mask or high flow nasal cannula 8-10L for 10 min → vasoconstriction
cluster HA - meds
(V has a cluster HA)
verapamil (calcium channel blocker)
Lithium
Corticosteroids
SEIZURES - causes
Metabolic disturbances (acidosis, electrolyte imbalance, hypoglycemia, barbiturate withdrawals, etc)
Involving the CNS (brain tumors, infections of the CNS, ischemic stroke, etc)
Extracranial disorders (heart, lung, liver disease, SLE, DM, HTN, septicemia)
Epilepsy - causes - what neurotransmitter?
Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsy (IGE) -about 1/3 of seizures are idiopathic, with no identifiable cause (IGE believed to be related to genetics)
Birth and congenital defects involving the CNS, infections and inborn metabolic d/o
Later in life, seizures can be provoked by infection, trauma, brain malignancies, strokes
New research implicates glutamate producing astrocytes acting as an excitotoxin in the recurrence of seizures. Scar tissue (gliosis) also plays a role.
Primary Generalized Seizures
(primarily both sides when you’re unconscious)
Primary Generalized Seizures (non-focal)
Involves both sides of the brain
Most people lose consciousness
Focal Seizures (Partial or Partial focal)
(focal is focused)
Focal Seizures (Partial or Partial focal)
Begins in one hemisphere of the brain in a specific region of the cortex
Produces sensory, motor, cognitive or emotional disturbances based on the area of brain involved
Generalized: Absence Seizure - who is affected?
Typical Absence Seizure (petit mal)
Usually occurs in children and rarely extend beyond adolescence
Generalized: Tonic-Clonic Seizure “Grand mal” - how long is loss of consciousness? and jerking?
Most common of the generalized seizures
Loss of consciousness followed by stiffening of the body (tonic phase lasting 10-20 sec)
Then jerking of extremities (clonic phase for 30-40 secs)
Myoclonic seizure
(my clone is fast)
Myoclonic seizure
Sudden, excessive, forceful jerking or twitching of the body or extremities.
Lasts < a few sec and can occur in clusters
Atonic seizure (aka “akinetic”, “astatic”, “drop”)
(no tone for less than 15 sec)
Atonic seizure (aka “akinetic”, “astatic”, “drop”)
Involves a tonic episode or an acute loss of muscle tone → person falls to ground
Person usually remains conscious. High risk for head injury
Lasts <15 secs
Tonic seizure
(tonic and conscious at 29)
Sudden increase tone of extensor muscle and stiffness. Affects both sides of body. Remains conscious
Lasts < 29 secs
Clonic seizure
Rare
Begins with loss of consciousness and sudden loss of muscle tone followed by limb jerking
PARTIAL SEIZURES: SIMPLE FOCAL SEIZURE
(simply focused and awake)
Person remains conscious and alert
PARTIAL SEIZURES: COMPLEX FOCAL SEIZURE
(complexed by my dreams)
Person has loss of consciousness or alteration in awareness
Their eyes are open but unaware of their actions “dreamlike”. Can be dangerous or embarrassing as people may walk onto oncoming traffic or remove their clothes
→Focal seizures lasts 30 sec to 2 minutes
→ People may feel tired and confused after event
STATUS EPILEPTICUS (SE)
Any seizure lasting >5 min or a series of separate seizures in rapid successions in which the person does not regain consciousness.
Neurons become exhausted and stop functioning → anoxic brain injury
Other complications: respiratory distress, cardiac dysrrhythmias, acidosis, hyperthermia
A neurological emergency
STATUS EPILEPTICUS (SE) - treatments (3 meds)
(your status is AKD)
IV Ativan or Versed, followed by Dilantin (phenytoin), Keppra
Intubation may be required
Last resort anesthesia to entirely suppress neuro activity
SUBCLINICAL SEIZURES
(sub sleep)
A type of epileptic seizure occurring in sedated patients
External physical signs masked by sedative drugs
EEG if subclinical seizures suspected
SEIZURE: MANAGEMENT
Assess pre-ictal symptoms. Ask family and witnesses
Observe seizure characteristics: features and duration
Medical intervention
Treat the underlying cause
Medication management with AEDS (anti-epileptic drugs)
seizure precautions
: O2 ready, suction ready, working IV, padded side rails, bed in lowest position.
Do’s and Don’ts during a seizure
Observe:
Time seizure and characteristics
Do remove objects around patient to prevent injury
Do not stick your finger in mouth to clear airway
Do not attempt to start an IV (you may harm yourself or patient)
Don’t use padded tongue blades
can chip teeth and obstruct airway or get aspirated
seizure = diagnosis
EEG
Labs to rule out metabolic disorder
CT or MRI of head to rule out structural lesion
EPILEPSY AND SEIZURE: TREATMENTS - the weird one
(epilepsy in vagus)
AEDS (Lewis, T58-8): works in 70% of patient. The aim is to maximize seizure control with minimal toxic side effects.
Ativan, Versed, Keppra (levetiracetam), Dilantin, Topamax (topiramate), Trileptal (oxcarbazepine), Depakene
Vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) – works by sending regular mild electrical signals to the brain “pacemaker for the brain”. Used as an adjunct to drug therapy or when drug therapy fails
Surgery: When patient is refractory to drug therapy and VNS
epilepsy - nursing management
Medication education: Continue medication even when seizures are well controlled
For patients on dialysis, need to adjust time of medication or take supplemental dose (consult with treating provider)
MS - three pathological processes
(Sue is a demon, scarred by inflammation)
chronic inflammation
demyelination
gliosis (scarring) in the CNS
Myelin initially regenerates and symptoms improve
Ongoing inflammation affects nearby oligodendrocyctes limiting myelin to regenerate
Inflammation → to axons replaced by glial scar tissue and sclerotic plaques throughout the white matter → decreased electrical conduction
MS - symptoms - just the weird one
(Sue is an electrical hermit)
Paresthesia and tremors; pain to low thoracic and abd, Lhermitte’s sign – electrical sensation down spine, Cognitive decline in approx. 50% of people
MS death
usually PNA or suicide
MS - diagnosis (think of YY) and how many attacks?
At least 2 inflammatory demyelination lesions in MRI
Sx attacks occurring at different times > a month apart
All other possible dx ruled out
MS: PSEUEDO-EXACERBATION - most common trigger
(Sue has a UTI)
MS exacerbation not caused by worsening MS
Temporary worsening of symptoms without actual myelin inflammation or damage
Brought on by triggers such as UTI (most common), infection, stress, exercise
MS: NURSING MANAGEMENT - what type of diet?
Help patient identify triggers and exacerbations
Educate on self-catheterization for urinary retention
Avoid exposure to heat
Promote high protein diet, fluid intake, bowel regimen program
Wear eye patch if diplopia present
Prevent complications d/t immobility during acute attack
Prevent infections
Emotional support