E3 Neurosensory Flashcards
If a pt is neurologically declining think about _______ first
ABCs- Airway, breathing Circulation
Physiological reasons-
Oxygenation… Are they hypoxic?
BP…. Are they Hypotensive?
What should be included in a basic Neuro assessment?
- General Survey: Speech, Acting, Appearance
- LOC
- Orientation: Person, Place, Time, Situation
Who needs a focused Neuro assessment?
-Neuro disorder/ disease
-Neurological change
-Neuro abnormal finding in basic finding
-Trauma (Head injury)
-Drug-induced states
-Neurological complaints
4 H’s of Neuro
Hypoxia
Hypoglycemia
Hypotension
Hypoventilation
Focused Neuro Assessments steps
- Subjective data
- Mental status
- Gait
- Reflexes
- Sensation
- Coordination
- Proprioception
- GCS/EMV
- Pupils
- Visual Fields
- Muscle Strength
- Speech
- Swallowing
- Gag
Describe Alert
-Awake
-Easily arousable
-Receptive & Responsive
Describe Lethargic (Somnolent)
-Not fully alert
-Drifts off to sleep when not stimulated
-Appears Drowsy
-Awakens to name
-Responds appropriately
-Slow to respond
-Not confused
Describe obtunded
-Sleeps most of the time
-Difficult to arouse: needs loud shout or vigorous shake
-Acts confused when aroused
-Speech mumbled or incoherent
-Requires constant stimulation to stay awake
Describe stupor or semi-comatose
-Spontaneously unconscious
-Responds only to vigorous shake or pain
-Groans, mumbles
-Not staying awake
Describe Comatose
-No meaningful response to stimuli
-Light-coma: no purposeful movement, some reflex activity
-Deep coma: No motor response
Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)
3-15 Range
<7-9 Comatose
Brain injury:
Severe 8 or less: Lose airway reflex
Moderate 9-12
Mild 13-15
Proprioception
Body’s ability to sense movement, action, and location (Qtip Sharp/Dull test)
Coordination
Rapid alternating movements (Touch thumb to each finger on the same hand rapidly)
Nursing Problem list
-Acute Confusion
-Chronic Confusion
-Deficient knowledge
-Impaired memory
-Impaired verbal communication
-Risk for ineffective cerebral tissue perfusion
-Ineffective airway clearance
-Risk for aspiration
-Risk for falls
-Risk for injury
-Impaired physcial mobility
Who would you collaborate with for neuro?
-Nursing Assistant
-HCP
-Neurologist
-PT/OT
-Speech Language Pathologist
-RT
What is the goal of nursing care plan for neuro patient?
- Protect status and maintain safety
- Assist patient in gaining independence
Seizure Precautions
-Suction
-Bed low
-Padded rails
-O2
-remove uneeded furniture
(TBI or brain bleed can cause seizures)
X-rays
-Skull: look at bones of skull, common in children
-Spinal- First step in evaluating back/neck pain, traumatic injuries, etc
-Would NOT use for brain bleeds or strokes
What is the nurses responsibility for X-rays?
Explain procedure, Painless, Remove metal objects, hold still, make sure armband is on
CT scan
-Gold standard for stroke identification or brain bleed
-3D images of organs, bones, tissues
-Quickly detects hemorrhage, bone, vascular abnormalities, tumors, cysts, etc.
What is nurses responsibility for CT scan?
-Informed consent (for contrast)
-Iodine allergy (for contrast)
-Diet orders: NPO for some scans but not all
-Claustrophobic (PRN anxiety meds)
What is contrast?
-Contrast helps distinguish selected body areas from surrounding tissues
-PO (looking fir bowel poliferations), Rectal (Barium), or IV
-Iodine allergy (shellfish)
-IV –> often referred to as a CT angiogram (force fluids, monitor kidney function)
-Tough on kidneys: check creatinine
Absolute MRI contradictions:
-Implantable pediatric sternum device
-Metallic foreign body in the eue
-Triggerfish contact lens
-Gastric reflux device
-Insulin device
-Temporary transvenous pacing leads
MRI: Magnetic Resonance Imaging
-3D image from a 2D slice
-More detailed & Expensive
-No exposure to radiation
-Screen for metal and remove
-Remove medicated patches
-Remove O2 and EKG
-Loud & Claustrophobic
-Do NOT have to be NPO
General MRI contradictions
-Shrapnel
-Pregnancy
-Implanted drug infusion pumps
-Epidural catheters
-Feeding tubes
-Spinal fixation hardware
Neuro MRI contradictions
-Halo
-Neuro stimulation
-Bone fusion (spinal) stimulator
-Cochlear implants
-Intra cranial vascular clips
-EEF electrodes
-Ventricular catheters