Common: Neuro & Pain Flashcards
Neuro: Forgetfulness gradually progressing to disorientation is characteristic of which neurologic disease?
Dementia usually appears first as forgetfulness. Other manifestations may be apparent only upon neurologic examination or cognitive testing. Loss of functioning progresses slowly from impaired language skills and difficulty with ordinary daily activities to severe memory loss and complete disorientation with withdrawal from social interaction.
Neuro: Describe appropriate interventions for a patient experiencing a seizure or is at risk of having a seizure
Protect the airway by placing the patient on their side
Protect their physical safety by moving things out of the way
Use side rails when the patient is in the bed
Have suction and supplemental oxygen ready
Neuro: The most common report from a person experiencing a hemorrhagic CVA
SEVERE headache
Neuro: Why would a nurse instruct a patient to tilt their head toward their chest when eating?
To prevent choking
Neuro: Incorporating nonverbal cues is advised when communicating with which type of patient?
Someone who has aphasia following a stroke
Pain: The use of narcotics for pain relief may be appropriate for patients who are immediately post-op as well as patients who have terminal cancer. Why is the use of narcotics for people outside of these categories high risk?
Narcotics like Morphine are used for the treatment of severe pain. Tolerance is an adverse effect of narcotic analgesics in which a larger dose is needed to produce the same response.
Pain: Patient’s experiencing sever pain often manifest other indications of increased pain. What are some other inidications?
Changes in vital signs
changes in pallor
changes in skin (temperature & moisture)
Pain: Why is the delivery of pain medication for post-op patients best done using a PCA pump?
The use of PCA pump is a safe and effective delivery method for post-op pain medication because it is controlled and patient specific. The patient should be the only one using the demand device of the pump. If a patient doesn’t appear to be achieving pain relief with the PCA pump, the first action of the nurse is to check the machine.
Pain: when a nurse administers a controlled substance for pain, what must they remember when handling the medication?
Controlled substances like narcotics are closely monitored and the nurse must keep careful count when removing them from the storage system and they MUST get a witness before wasting and should NOT sign as a witness if they didn’t see the waste.
