Exam 1 Mod 1&2 Flashcards
Compression of the trigeminal nerve (CN V) causing irritation, focal demyelination of the nerve, inflammation.
Pain occurs abruptly & lasts a short amount of time.
Trigeminal Neuralgia
Trigeminal Neuralgia drug therapy includes:
Carbamazepine- first line
Corticosteroids
Diazepam or tricyclic antidepressants
What are some possible triggers for trigeminal
neuralgia?
-Smiling
-Brushing teeth
-Eating
Surgical tx trigeminal neuralgia
gamma knife radiosurgery or microvascular decompression
What is the post-surgical care for trigeminal neuralgia?
-Ice pack
-Soft diet
-Avoid chewing on the affected side
-Perform frequent cranial nerve assessments
What is a seizure?
Abnormal, sudden, excessive, uncontrolled electrical discharge of neurons within the brain.
May result in a change in LOC, motor or sensory ability, and/or behavior.
What type of seizure?
Loss of consciousness
Stiffening of body
Jerking of extremities
May be associated with biting tongue, incontinence
Postictal: muscle soreness, tired
Generalized Tonic-Clonic (Grand-Mal) Seizure
What type of seizure?
Staring spell or brief loss of consciousness
Can be precipitated by hyperventilation or flashing lights
Generalized Absence (Petit Mal) Seizure
What type of seizure?
May remain focal or progress to generalized tonic-clonic
Simple-partial: No loss of consciousness, focal motor
Partial Seizures
Status epilepticus is a medical emergency. It is continuous or rapidly occurring seizures. What does it cause?
brain damage, arrhythmias, hypoxemia, & acidosis
What is considered to be “impending status epilepticus?”
Seizure activity lasting longer than 5 minutes
What do we do for status epilepticus?
Initially, intravenous lorazepam/diazepam is administered to stop motor movements. This is followed by the administration of phenytoin.
May require endotracheal intubation for airway protection
Steps to Seizures
What do we do first?
Seizure Management Pearls
Protect the patient from injury.
Do not force anything into the patient’s mouth.
Turn the patient to the side to prevent aspiration and keep the airway clear.
Remove any objects that might injure the patient.
Suction oral secretions if possible without force.
Loosen any restrictive clothing the patient is wearing.
Do not restrain or try to stop the patient’s movement; guide movements if necessary.
Steps to Seizures
What medications?
IV push lorazepam or diazepam.
What do all anticonvulsants cause?
All anticonvulsants can cause drowsiness, ataxia (lack of coordination) and CNS depression (resp. depression)
Levetiracetam (Keppra): best choice for outpatient,
most popular, monitor CBC.
Phenytoin: causes gingival hyperplasia, bone marrow
suppression, rash, IV vesicant, monitor blood levels
and CBC (q3 months).
Carbamazepine: causes bone marrow suppression,
monitor blood levels and CBC.
Divalproex (Depakote): causes hepatotoxicity, bone
marrow suppression, monitor CBC, blood levels and
LFTs.
Steps to Seizures
What do we do once the seizure has stopped?
Reorient the pt.
Record the time the seizure began and ended.
Check blood glucose levels. Seizures can occur due to hypoglycemia.
Make sure airway is clear.
Ask if they have felt an aura before the seizure or have triggers.
A nurse is assessing a client who has a seizure disorder.
The client tells the nurse, “I am about to have a seizure.”
Which of the following actions should the nurse implement? (select all that apply)
A. Provide Privacy
B. Ease the client to the floor if standing
C. Move furniture away from the client.
D. Loosen the client’s clothing
E. Protect the client’s head with padding
F. Restrain the client
A. Provide Privacy
B. Ease the client to the floor if standing
C. Move furniture away from the client.
D. Loosen the client’s clothing
E. Protect the client’s head with padding
A nurse is caring for a client who just experienced a
generalized seizure. Which of the following actions
should the nurse perform first?
A. Keep the client in a side-lying position
B. Document the duration of the seizure
C. Reorient the client to the environment
D. Provide client hygiene
A. Keep the client in a side-lying position
B. Document the duration of the seizure
The greatest risk to the client is aspiration during the postictal phase. Side-lying position allows secretions to drain from the mouth, keeping the airway patent.
Priority is always safety.
A nurse is providing discharge instructions to a client who
has a prescription for phenytoin. Which of the following
instructions should the nurse include?
A. Consider taking an antacid when on this medication
B. Watch for receding gums when taking the medication
C. Take the medication at the same time every day
D. Provide a urine sample to determine therapeutic levels of
the medication
C. Take the medication at the same time every day
A nurse is reviewing trigger factors that can cause seizures with a client who has a new diagnosis of generalized seizures. Which of the following information should the nurse include in the review? (select all that apply)
A. Avoid overwhelming fatigue
B. Remove caffeinated products from the diet
C. Limit looking at flashing lights
D. Perform aerobic exercises
E. Limit episodes of hypoventilation
F. Use of aerosol hairspray is recommended
A. Avoid overwhelming fatigue
B. Remove caffeinated products from the diet
C. Limit looking at flashing lights
How do we differentiate between bacterial
and viral meningitis? Which one is worse?
Meningitis is an acute infection and inflammation of meninges.
Differentiate by CSF analysis w/ lumbar puncture
Bacterial meningitis is an acute, life threatening emergency.
Good prognosis for viral meningitis.
What type of precautions is used for meningitis?
droplet
Clinical Presentation of Meningitis
-Headache like they have never felt before
-Nuchal rigidity, back of the neck is stiff
-Nausea/vomiting
-Photophobia: eye discomfort due to exposure to light
-Brudzinski Sign: flexion of the neck elicits flexion of hips and knees
-Kernig Sign: bilateral hamstring pain prevents straightening of the leg
What is the most important thing to monitor for meningitis?
level of consciousness
What do we do stat with bacterial meningitis?
Requires STAT LP followed by immediate IV antibiotics.
Do not give antibiotics before the LP, can skew the results.
What do we do for viral meningitis?
supportive care- antipyretics, hydration, and rest
A nurse is assessing a client who reports severe headaches
and a stiff neck. The nurse’s assessment reveals positive
Kernig’s and Brudzinski’s signs. Which of the following
actions should the nurse perform first?
A. Administer antibiotics
B. Implement droplet precautions
C. Initiate IV access
D. Decrease bright lights
B. Implement droplet precautions
A nurse is planning care for a client who has meningitis and is at risk for increased intracranial pressure (ICP). Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take? (select all that apply)
A. Implement seizure precautions
B. Perform neurological checks 4 times a day
C. Administer morphine for the report of neck and generalized pain
D. Turn off the lights and television
E. Monitor for impaired extra-ocular movements
F. Encourage the client to cough frequently.
A. Implement seizure precautions
D. Turn off the lights and television
E. Monitor for impaired extra-ocular movements
What is the priority assessment post craniotomy?
-Monitor for and prevent increased ICP is the PRIORITY
Followed by:
-Observe dressing
-Prevent infection (handwashing)
-Monitor neurological status
-Monitor fluid and electrolytes
-Monitor for diabetes insipidus
-Prevent complications of immobility: DVT prophylaxis, skin breakdown
What is the drug of choice for cerebral edema?
Dexamethasone (Decadron)
What is the difference between a primary spinal cord injury and a secondary injury?
Primary Injury: Initial disruption of cord.
Secondary injury: on-going damage from ischemia, inflammation, toxic metabolites, and edema.
What types of shock should you look out for w/ spinal cord injuries?
Neurogenic- damage to the nerves themselves
Hypovolemic- fluid loss
What is our priority with cervical spinal injuries?
Above C4 requires mechanical ventilation
C3, 4, & 5 keep the diaphragm alive.
All cervical injuries cause respiratory insufficiency meaning the pt will have
-Decreased cough
-Decreased vital capacity
-High risk of atelectasis and pneumonia
What do we see in spinal shock?
Due to acute spinal injury
Loss of motor, sensory and reflex activity at the level of injury and below:
-Flaccid paralysis
-Flaccid bladder
-Paralytic ileus- gut is going to slow down or stop
-Loss of sensation
-Decreased or absent reflexes
Can last days to months. Spasticity may emerge after spinal shock resolves.
Who has the highest risk of developing neurogenic shock?
High risk w/ injury above T6
What sets neurogenic shock apart from spinal shock?
hemodynamic phenomenon
What are the three critical features of neurogenic shock?
Hypotension
Bradycardia
Poikilothermia
What is the cause of autonomic hyperreflexia?
distended bladder and fecal impaction
What are the priority symptoms of autonomic hyperreflexia?
Severe, life-threatening hypertensive crisis.
Other sx include: HA, blurred vision, diaphoresis, & flushing
What is the nursing care for autonomic hyperreflexia?
-Elevate HOB
-Monitor BP
-Remove noxious stimuli
-If BP remains elevated administer BP medication
-Close neuro assessment
Immediate Post- Spinal Cord Injury
-Immobilize injury w/ backboard & neck brace
-Prioritize ABCs
-Comprehensive neuro assessment (touch, pain, muscle strength)
-Methylprednisolone (Solu-Medrol) can help w/ inflammation
-Maintain MAP between 80-90 (may require dopamine)
-NG tube for ileus
-Stress ulcer prophylaxis with a PPI
-DVT prophylaxis (SCDs & Lovenox)
What is the formula to calculate MAP?
(SBP + 2DBP) / 3
A nurse is caring for a client who has a spinal cord injury and reports a severe headache and is sweating profusely. Vital signs include blood pressure of 220/110 mmHg and apical heart rate of 54/min. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Examine skin for irritation or pressure
B. Sit the client upright in bed
C. Check the urinary catheter for blockage
D. Administer antihypertensive medication
B. Sit the client upright in bed
A nurse is caring for a client who has a C4 spinal cord
injury. The nurse should recognize the client is at greatest
risk for which of the following complications?
A. Neurogenic Shock
B. Paralytic ileus
C. Stress Ulcer
D. Respiratory Compromise
D. Respiratory Compromise
What is a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)?
“Mini-stroke”
Reversible cerebral ischemia. Usually precedes thrombotic stroke: “Warning sign”.
TIA is commonly caused by
carotid stenosis
What is the ABCD assessment tool for stroke risk?
Age of at least 60 years
BP of at least 140/90 (either SBP, DBP, or combination)
Clinical TIA features
Duration of symptoms
TIA- Carotid ultrasound ordered to identify arterial stenosis, which may lead to
decreased cerebral blood flow
What is the medication management for TIA?
Antiplatelets drugs such as aspirin or Plavix
What are other management techniques for TIA?
ABCS of stroke management
-Blood pressure management
-Controlling diabetes, if necessary
-Lifestyle changes: smoking cessation, encouraging physical activity, dietary management
What are the two types stroke?
Ischemic (occlusive) and Hemorrhagic (bleeding)
What are the two types of ischemic strokes? What is the main cause of each type?
-Thrombotic –> Atherosclerosis
-Embolic –> A-Fib
What are the 4 types of hemorrhagic strokes? What is the main cause if each type?
-Intracerebral hemorrhage –> severe or sustained HTN
-Subarachnoid hemorrhage –> ruptured aneurysm or AVM rupture
-Aneurysm
-Arteriovenous malformation (AVM) –> congenital abnormality
Interventions for cerebral aneurysms
clipping and coiling
Thunder clap headache
Subarachnoid hemorrhage
What are the hallmark signs/sx of a stroke?
-Sudden weakness
-Difficulty talking
-Difficulty understanding
-Severe headache with no known cause
What is the first priority for stroke patient?
Ensure pt is transported to a stroke center.
Complete focused/rapid assessment. Remember that there is always a risk that LOC will change.
Broca’s aphasia
difficulty talking
What is FAST?
facial dropping, raise arms, slurred speech, time = brain
Wernicke’s aphasia
difficulty understanding
Emergent Care Stroke
-Assess ABCs
-Provide oxygen (this is an ischemic issue)
-2 Large bore IVs
-Take blood samples and blood glucose
-Perform NIH Stroke Scale
-Order a non-contrast CT- must be read within 45 minutes
-Obtain 12-lead to look for A-fib
-Do not delay CT to get ECG
Within 45 minutes of the patient’s arrival, the specialist must decide, based on the CT scan, if a hemorrhage is present.
Take these actions if a hemorrhage is present:
-Note that the patient is not a candidate for fibrinolytics.
-Arrange for a consultation with a neurologist/neurosurgeon.
-Consider transfer, if available.
If it is hemorrhagic you need to get a
neurosurgeon consult immediately
Within 45 minutes of the patient’s arrival, the specialist must decide, based on the CT scan, if a hemorrhage is present.
Take these actions if a hemorrhage is NOT present:
-Decide if the patient is a candidate for fibrinolytic therapy.
-Review criteria for IV fibrinolytic therapy
-Repeat the neurological exam (NIHSS)
If ischemic- assess criteria for tPA
What is the criteria?
Period of time between symptom onset and arrival time to the stroke center.
FDA approves use of tPA within 3 hours of stroke symptom onset.
The American Stroke Association endorses 4.5 hours, if no exclusion criteria are present.
Exclusion criteria for tPA
Age older than 80 years
Anticoagulation therapy
Baseline NIHSS score greater than 25
History of both stroke and diabetes
Evidence of active bleeding
BP greater than 185 systolic or 110 diastolic
History of cerebral bleed
Elevated PT/INR
If they are not a candidate for tPA, what is next?
Endovascular interventions
Mechanical embolectomy- MERCI Retrieval System
Intra-arterial thrombolysis: tPA is delivered directly to the thrombus within 6 hrs of symptom onset
Carotid artery angioplasty with stenting
Carotid Endarterectomy (CEA)
Mechanical embolectomy- MERCI Retrieval System is for patients that do not qualify for tPA or fail tPA therapy. Has to be completed
within 8 hours of stroke onset