Exam 2: Chronic Neurological Problems Flashcards
What are the 3 types of headaches ?
- Tension
- Migraine
- Cluster
Specify the location of each type of headache (bilateral or unilateral)
- Tension: ?
- Migraine: ?
- Cluster: ?
- Tension: Bilateral
- Migraine: Unilateral
- Cluster: Unilateral
What type of headache presents as…
- band-like
- constant
- squeezing
- Neck/shoulder tension
Tension headache
What type of headache presents as…
- throbbing
- Premonitory symptoms of aura
- improves with sleep
Migraine headache
What type of headache presents as…
- severe
- nocturnal - awakes from sleep
- have multiple a day
Cluster headaches
What is the Tx for tension headaches ?
- NSAID/analgesic combinations
What is the Tx for Migraines ?
- NSAIDS
- Maxalt
- Imitrex
- Analgesics
What is the Tx for Cluster headaches ?
- A (Alpha) Adrenergic blockers (Ex: Ergotamine)
- Maxalt
- Imitrex
What is the prevention for Migraines ?
Avoid triggers !
- Food
- ETOH
What is the prevention for Tension Headaches ?
Relaxation
What is the prevention for Cluster headaches ?
Biofeedback
What is Epilepsy defined as ?
A predisposition to seizures
Seizures can be caused by what types of things ?
- Electrolyte imbalances
- Hypoglycemia
- ETOH withdrawl
- Withdrawl from benzodiazepines
(ex: Ativan, valum)
What are seizures defined as ?
Transient, uncontrolled electrical discharge of neurons in the brain, interrupting normal function
Seizures can be what ?
- Spontaneous (idiopathic)
- Systemic or metabolic
Systemic or metabolic seizures are not considered to be what ?
Epilepsy
if they end when the condition is corrected
(ex: febrile seizure)
Focal seizures happen where ?
in 1 hemisphere of the brain
Generalized seizures happen where ?
Involve both hemispheres of the brain
Clinical manifestations of seizures depend on what ?
The type & location of the seizure
What are the 4 phases of a seizure ?
- Promodal phase
- Aural phase
- Ictal phase
- Postictal phase
what is the Promodal phase of a seizure ?
Sensations that precede the seizure
- can be hrs or days before the presence of the seizure
The Aural phase of a seizure happenes when ?
Right before the seizure
What is the Aural phase of a seizure present as ?
A sensory warning
(ex: a feeling of warmth, visual changes, etc)
- its similar each time
- Happen before a tonic clonic seizure
What is the Ictal phase of a seizure defined as ?
From the 1st symptom (ex: twitching in face) of the seizure to the end of the seizure activity
What is the postictal phase of a seizure defined as ?
The recovery phase after the seizure
What diagnostics are used for Seizures ?
- Good H&P
- Detailed seizure description
- EEG, LP, CBC, UA, Electrolytes, BS
- CT, MRI, PET
(generally used to rule out any anomalies (tumors, lesions) in the brain which could be causing seizures)
What type of therapies are used seizures ?
- Ant-seizure medications
- Surgery
(if an area of the brain can be identified as the source of the seizure activity) - Vagal nerve stimulation
What is the Nursing Management GOAL with seizures ?
- keep pt’s Free Of Injury !
- Maintain airway !
What are nursing interventions used during seizures ?
- Protect from injury
- Note time, duration, and characteristics of seizure
- Assess behavior at onset
- Administer meds to stop onset
- Document seizure
- Allow to rest after seizure
What is vagal nerve stimulation ?
An electrode is implanted into the neck that can be programed to provide electrical impulses to the vagus nerve.
- hyper stimulating the vagus nerve can reduce seizure activity
In the hospital setting when someone is under seizure precautions, what is always kept at the bed side ?
Suction ! always set up
What is the medication (category) of choice to stop a seizure ?
A Benzodiazipine
example:
- lorazepam
- ativan
What is the Goal of drug therapy with seizures ?
Maximal control with minimal toxic side effects !
What should you do when initiating drug therapy for a seizure ?
Start with a single drug
- Increase until the seizure is controlled OR toxic s/e occur
If seizure control Is not achieved with a single drug, what should you do ?
Add a second drug
When controlling seizures with drug therapy, what should you do ?
- Monitor serum drug levels
- Do not stop the drug abruptly
During acute seizures what type of drug therapy is usually used to stop seizures ?
Benzodiazepines
- valium
- Ativan
What are side effects of Anti-seizure drugs, that occur outside of the CNS ?
- Rashes
- Hyperplasia of gingiva (overgrowth of the gums)
- Blood dycrasias (change in the WBC count)
- Toxicity on Liver & kidneys
What are patient teaching points for Seizures ?
- Take all medications as prescribed
- If miss a dose - CHECK W/ THE DR.
- DO NOT stop meds without MD authorization
- Wear medic alert tag
- Avoid excessive ETOH, fatigue, & loss of sleep
- Regular meals & snacks if feeling shaky, faint, or hungry
- Family teaching- what to do if a seizure occurs
What disease is defined as a “Chronic, progressive, degenerative disorder of the CNS, characterized by disseminated demyelination of nerve fibers of the brain and spinal cord” ?
Multiple Sclerosis