Cranial Nerve Disorders

Question 1

what causes trigeminal neuralgia

Answer 1

unknown - nerve root compression

Question 2

which nerve is effected in trigeminal neuralgia

Answer 2

5th cranial nerve

Question 3

s/s of trigeminal neuralgia

Answer 3

pain along side of nerve

Question 4

is trigeminal neuralgia life threatening

Answer 4

no - high suicide rates

Question 5

nursing dx of trigeminal neuralgia involves

Answer 5

pain

Question 6

dx of trigeminal neuralgia

Answer 6

pt history and symptoms

may do hearing test

Question 7

which type of drug therapy/class is used to trt trigeminal neuralgia

Answer 7

neuron depolarization

Question 8

specific drug used to trt trigeminal neuralgia

Answer 8

tegretol - neuron depolarization

Question 9

other trt methods used to trt trigeminal neuralgia

Answer 9

nerve blocking and biofeedback

Question 10

surgical methods to trt trigeminal neuralgia

Answer 10

glycerol rhizotomy
per-cutaneous radio frequency
micro-vascular decompression

Question 11

what happens in a glycerol rhizotomy procedure

Answer 11

lg needle - inject glycerol into trigeminal nerve root - paralyzes nerve root to stop pain impulses

Question 12

how long will benefits from glycerol rhizotomy last

Answer 12

a couple months to years

Question 13

what happens in a per-cutaneous radio frequency proc.

Answer 13

needle in trigeminal nerve root - apply heat to shrink

Question 14

nursing mgmt for trigeminal neuralgia

Answer 14

Environmental mgmt - draft free

pen/note-pad at bedside

Question 15

nutrition mgmt r/t trigeminal neuralgia

Answer 15

chewing causes pain - pt is likely afraid to eat
provide lukewarm foods - pt feeds self
strict i/o for nutrition concerns
oral care done by the patient

Question 16

is pt awake during glycerol rhizotomy trt

Answer 16

yes - but completely numb (sedation can be provided)

Question 17

if pt has several glycerol rhizotomy trts they can experience these symptoms

Answer 17

sensation concerns, corneal reflexes (corneal anesthesia) usually temporary

Question 18

we recommend the use of electric razors with trigeminal neuralgia, t or f

Answer 18

true - wont cut self

Question 19

good pt teaching w/trigeminal neuralgia

Answer 19

triggers - external stimuli - chew on unaffected side

Question 20

which cranial nerve is affected by bells palsy

Answer 20

7th - thought to be related to herpes simplex virus

Question 21

dx of bells palsy

Answer 21

exclusion - you’ve ruled out everything else

Question 22

s/s of bells palsy

Answer 22

herpes vesicles behind the ears - place warm/cold pack

Question 23

pharmacological trt r/t bells palsy

Answer 23

steroid - prednisone (quiets immune system)

zovirax/valtrex

Question 24

eye care r/t bells palsy

Answer 24

dark glasses - night-time eye shield - taping lids