Exam 2 Flashcards
multiple sclerosis
Myelin sheath destroyed (like rubber outside of phone charger)
Nerves not making smooth changes into muscle
parkinson’s disease
Center of balance and sensation are off
Rigidity
Can’t spontaneously put one foot in front of the other
Lots of concentration and thinking for simple tasks
CNS function
controls most body functions, including awareness, movements, sensations, thoughts, speech and memory
peripheral nervous system
broken down into somatic and autonomic
somatic nervous system
controls body movements that are under our control such as walking.
autonomic nervous system (and major organ)
further divided into sympathetic and parasympathetic
ADRENALS!
chain ganglia vs collateral ganglia
chain: spinal nerves and nerves in thoracic cavity
collateral: abdomen and pelvis
cerebrovascular disorder
functional abnormality of the CNS that occurs when blood flow to the brain is disrupted
Stroke is a major example
financial impact is profound
What is agnosia?
A. Failure to recognize familiar objects perceived by the senses
B. Inability to express oneself or to understand language
C. Inability to perform previously learned purposeful motor acts on a voluntary basis
D. Impaired ability to coordinate movement, often seen as a staggering gait or postural imbalance
A
nonmodifiable risk factors of cerebrovascular disorders
age (>55), male, black
manifestations of an ischemic stroke
Symptoms depend on the location and size of the affected area
Numbness or weakness of face, arm, or leg, especially on one side
Confusion or change in mental status
Trouble speaking or understanding speech
Difficulty in walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination
Sudden, severe headache
Perceptual disturbances
hemiplegia vs hemiparesis
hemiplegia: complete paralysis
hemiparesis: partial weakness
dysarthria
difficulty speaking due to weak speech muscles
hemianopsia
only seeing on one side
TIA
Temporary neurologic deficit resulting from a temporary impairment of blood flow
“Warning of an impending stroke”
how to treat and prevent irreversible deficits
diagnostic workups
how to diagnose TIA
CT scan, cerebral angiography, lumbar puncture if CT is negative and ICP is not elevated to confirm subarachnoid hemorrhage
what to treat with TIA
vasospasm, increased ICP, hypertension, potential seizures, and prevention of further bleeding
Deliberate CALM care!!
cardiac endarterectomy
removes buildup from carotids
carotids feed brain with blood supply
hemorrhage is bad
can mess up shoulder
what to do for carotid stenosis and afib
carotid: carotid endarterectomy
afib: anticoags and antihypertensives
medical management in acute phase of stroke
prompt diagnosis and treatment
thrombolytic therapy
pt monitoring
watch for bleeding
elevate HOB unless contraindicated
maintain airway and ventilation
continuous hemodynamic monitoring and neuro assessment
hemorrhagic stroke caused by
spontaneous rupture of small vessels r/t hypertension
ruptured aneurysm
intracerebral hemorrhage r/t amyloid angiopathy
arterial venous malformations (AVMs)
intracranial aneurysms
medications such as anticoagulants
ICP increases caused by blood in subarachnoid space
Compression or secondary ischemia from perfusion & vasoconstriction causes injury to brain tissue
manifestations of hemorrhagic stroke
similar to ischemic
severe HA
early and sudden changes in LOC
vomiting
bleeding
assessment of pt recovering from ischemic stroke (acute phase)
ongoing frequent monitoring of systems esp neuro (CHECK AROUSAL LEVEL)
LOC
symptoms
speech
pupil changes
I&O
BP maintenance
bleeding
O2 sat
nursing care after acute phase
Mental status
Sensation/perception
Motor control
Swallowing ability
Nutritional and hydration status
Skin integrity
Activity tolerance
Bowel and bladder function
Get men ready to pee again once they’re stable enough to stand
preventing joint deformities in stroke pts
turn and position in correct alignment q2h
use splints
passive or active ROM 2-5x/day
prevention of flexion contractures
prevention of shoulder abduction
do not lift by flaccid shoulder
quad setting and glute exercises
assist patient OOB ASAP
ambulation training
nutrition for stroke pts
Consult with speech therapy or nutritional services
Have patient sit upright, preferably out of bed, to eat
Chin tuck or swallowing method
Use of thickened liquids or pureed diet
Ice chips bad!!
when to perform neuro checks for pt with hemorrhagic stroke
q2-4h
assessment of pt with hemorrhagic stroke
Altered LOC
Sluggish pupillary reaction
Motor and sensory dysfunction
Cranial nerve deficits
Speech difficulties and visual disturbance
Headache and nuchal rigidity
Other neurologic deficits
3 complications of hemorrhagic stroke
Decreased cerebral blood flow
Inadequate oxygen delivery to brain
Pneumonia
5 complications of ischemic stroke
Vasospasm
Seizures
Hydrocephalus
Rebleeding
Hyponatremia
goals of hemorrhagic stroke
Improved cerebral tissue perfusion
Relief of anxiety
The absence of complications
aneurysm precautions
Provide a non-stimulating environment, prevent increases in ICP, prevent further bleeding:
Absolute bed rest with HOB 30 degrees
Avoid all activity that may increase ICP or BP; Valsalva maneuver, acute flexion or rotation of neck or head
Stool softener and mild laxatives so they don’t bear down
Non-stimulating, non-stressful environment; dim lighting, no reading, no TV, no radio
Visitors are restricted
early identification of stroke (interventions)
Call RRT (neuro)
Initiating stroke algorithm
The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS)
labs prior to CT (CBC, BMP, coags, T&S)
stroke scale values
0 = no stroke
1 to 4 = minor stroke
5 to 15 = moderate stroke
16 to 20 = moderate to severe stroke
21 to 42 = severe stroke
Airway in pts with decreased LOC and interventions
Patients with decreased LOC have increased risk of airway compromise due to loss of protective reflexes and oral-pharyngeal reflexes
Nursing Interventions:
HOB > 30 degrees
Suction prn
O2 saturation assessment
S&S of dysphagia
ASPIRATION RISK
Weak or absent gag reflex
Drooling
Excessive chewing
Difficulty pushing food to back of mouth
Dysarthria (difficulty speaking)
Listen to the voice
Gurgle, wet, weak, hoarse, strident
Paresthesia of face, lips, tongue
what is aspiration
Aspiration is defined as the inhalation of either oropharyngeal or gastric contents into the lower airways
modified massey bedside swallow test
must be completed and documented w date and time for all rule out strokes and TIAs prior to any oral intake
complete within 24hrs of admission or new onset TIA/CVA
can’t just document +/-
nurses do this test
when in doubt, keep pt NPO
aspiration PNA
Aspiration of colonized oropharyngeal material (food, secretions)
Often polymicrobial
Pulmonary inflammation
pts look very sick
CXR shows what in aspiration pts
infiltration of dependent portion of lungs
cloudy, can’t identify outline of lobes
effective oral care does what 5 things
Reduces bacteria
Increases appetite
Increases alertness
Increases salivary flow
Reduces pneumonia incidence
diagnosis of aspiration PNA
Fever >100 F
WBC > 10,000 (know normal WBC)
Rales
+ sputum culture
Productive cough
PaO2 <70 mmHg
CXR + for new infiltrate
how to manage reflux
positioning
feeding/diet changes
meds such as antacids, PPIs, histamine blockers, prokinetics, physical barriers
nursing interventions for dysphagia
NPO
Swallow evaluation
Ensure appropriate diet (puree, mechanical soft)
Feed in upright position
For pts with hemiplegia or paresis, place food on unaffected side
If “pocketing” of food occurs, have patient sweep mouth with finger to remove
when can tPA be given
within 3hrs of stroke onset
5 assessment for tPA
monitor for bleeding
maintain BP
neuro status (for re-embolization or bleed)
no SCD or BP cuff for 24h
no heparin for 24h
what to use for non-tPA eligible pts
Early ASA therapy is recommended (150- 325mg)
Pts w/ restricted mobility
Prophylactic low-dose SQ Heparin or LMWH or IPC (intermittent pneumatic compression)
blood pressure management for stroke pts
aggressive efforts to lower blood pressure may decrease perfusion pressure and may prolong or worsen ischemia
hypertension in the setting of hemorrhagic stroke should always be managed
Parameters for BP management can vary depending on if patient is a candidate for t- PA
fever in stroke pts
mild hypothermia in the brain is neuroprotective, hyperthermia accelerates ischemic neuro injury
give antipyretics and find source of fever
antithrombotics for day 2 post CVA/TIA
ASA
Aggrenox
ASA & dipyridamole
Coumadin
Plavix
Ticlid
IV Heparin
LMWH – full dose
afib and ischemic CVA meds
long term coumadin (INR 2.5 [2-3])
ASA 75-325 mg/day if coumadin contraindicated
first thing we look at with people with impaired LOC
verbal response and alertness
lethargy
drowsy, awakens to stimulation
obtunded
difficult to arouse, needs constant simulation to FOLLOW SIMPLE COMMAND
stupor
arouses to vigorous, continuous stimulation
CAN’T FOLLOW A SIMPLE COMMAND
can be from increased ICP
severe impairment to brain circulation
immediate intervention
may become comatose and exhibit abnormal motor responses
if goes to irreversible coma, brainstem reflexes are absent, respirations are impaired, may be braindead)
akinetic mutism
Unresponsiveness to the environment, makes no movement or sound, sometimes opens eyes
PVS
no cognitive function but has sleep-wake cycles
locked in syndrome
inability to move or respond except for eye movements (up and down not side to side)
lesion in the pons!
GCS score interpretations
9-15: mild-mod injury
3-8: major injury
GCS eye
4- Spontaneous
3- Loud voice
2- Pain
1- None
GCS verbal
5- Normal conversation
4- Disoriented conversation
3- Non coherent
2- No words, only sounds
1- None
GCS motor
6- Normal
5- Localized to pain
4- Withdraws to pain
3- Flexion
2- Extension
1- None
changes in LOC can indicate what 7 things?
Hypoxia
Hypercarbia
Hypotension
Drug related
Hypothermia
Postictal state
Hypoglycemia
complications of change in LOC
resp distress/failure
PNA
aspiration
pressure ulcers
DVT
contractures
fixed and dilated pupils
herniation syndrome
posturing in relation to PVS
high potential for PVS in pts who posture and have adequate perfusion and oxygenation
spastic muscles
generally accompanied by rigidity, muscle is in a state of contraction, muscle spasm may be present
decorticate (plantar, legs, arms, hands)
plantar flexed (outward)
legs internally rotated
arms flexed and adducted
hands flexed
BETTER PROGNOSIS
decerebrate (plantar and arms/hands)
plantar flexed (outward)
arms adducted, extended, pronated, and hands flexed outward
DTRs and which is superficial
triceps, biceps, brachioradialis, patellar, and achilles tendon
plantar is superficial
in who is Babinski normal
children <2
cushing’s triad
Increased SBP with a widening pulse pressure
Bradycardia
Bradypnea
cushing’s triad caused by?
increased ICP
late sign of herniation syndrome
normal ICP
1-15 mmHg
herniation syndrome
Occurs when cerebral pressure is not exerted evenly
One portion of the brain herniates into another
Supratentorial and infratentorial
Caused by cerebral edema or mass
Neuro changes can be slow or rapid
Call family to establish baseline
maintenance of clear airway for altered LOC patient
may be orally or nasally intubated, can cause accumulation of secretions which need to be removed
frequent monitoring and lung sounds
positioning to accumulate secretions and prevent obstruction
HOB elevated 30, lateral or semi-prone
suctioning, oral hygiene, CPT
how to protect eyes in pt with altered LOC
clean with saline-soaked cotton balls
artificial tears
cautious w eye patches because cornea may contact patch
fluid status and body temp with altered LOC
watch fluid status, turgor, INO, labs, IV and tube feedings
adjust temp and cover pt
monitor temp frequently
diarrhea may result from what 3 things
infection
meds
hyperosmolar fluids (TPN)
mood if patient arouses from coma
may have period of agitation (low stimulation)
monro-kellie hypothesis
Dynamic equilibrium of intracranial pressure
Limited space in skull, so increase in any components causes change in volume of others
compensation by displacing or shifting CSF
increasing absorption or minimizing production of CSF
minimizing blood volume
increased ICP causes what
decreased cerebral perfusion, ischemia, cell death, and further edema
may result in herniation
autoregulation in the brain
the brain’s ability to change the diameter of blood vessels to maintain cerebral blood flow
decreased and increased CO2 in relation to blood vessels
decreased: constriction
increased: dilation
early manifestations in increased ICP
changed in LOC
change in condition
Restlessness, confusion, increased drowsiness, increased respiratory effort, purposeless movements (loss of spontaneous movement), hemianopsia, lost taste for sweet and salty, pulse and pulse pressure changes
Pupillary changes and impaired ocular movements
Weakness in one extremity or one side
Headache: constant, increasing in intensity, or aggravated by movement or straining
late manifestations of increased ICP
Respiratory and vasomotor changes
Cushing triad: bradycardia/pnea, HTN
Projectile vomiting
Further deterioration of LOC
Going from stupor to coma
Hemiplegia, decortication, decerebration, or flaccidity
Respiratory pattern alterations including cheyne-stokes breathing and arrest
Loss of brainstem reflexes: pupil, gag, corneal, and swallowing
diabetes insipidus
Decreased secretion of ADH
Excessive urine output
Decreased urine osmolality
Serum hyperosmolality
Give IV fluids, electrolyte replacement and desmopressin (synthetic vasopressin)
SIADH fluid restriction
<800ml/day
interventions for increased ICP
resp status and lung sounds
head in neutral position and elevated 0-60 to promote venous drainage
avoid hip flexion, valsalva, abd distention, or stimuli
monitor fluid status, I&O every hr in acute phase
strict asepsis
craniotomy
opening of the skull
craniectomy
excision of portion of the skull
cranioplasty
repair of cranial defect with metal or plastic plate
burr holes
circular openings for exploration or diagnosis to provide access to ventricles or shunting procedures, aspirate a hematoma or abscess, or make a bone flap