Exam 3 Neuro: Care of Critically Ill Patients with Neurologic Problems (15 questions) Flashcards
1
Q
Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
A
- “Warning sign”
- Transient focal neurologic dysfunction
TIA: minutes to < 24 hours - Brief interruption in cerebral blood flow
2
Q
Stroke types
A
- Thrombotic
Gradual onset
Ischemic - Embolic
Sudden onset
Ischemic - Hemorrhagic
Sudden onset
3
Q
Stroke (brain attack)
A
- Change in normal blood supply to brain
Supplies glucose and oxygen
Removal of metabolic waste
4
Q
Stroke risk factors
A
- Smoking
- Substance abuse
- Obesity
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Oral contraceptive use
- Heavy alcohol use
- Use of phenylpropanolamine (PPA)
No longer produced in US
5
Q
Stroke Symptoms/assessment
A
- NIH Stroke Scale Score 0-40 - Cognitive changes - Visual changes - Facial palsy - Motor changes - Sensory changes - Cranial nerve assessment - CV assessment
6
Q
Right Hemisphere stroke symptoms
A
- Disorientation
- Loss of depth perception
- Unilateral body neglect syndrome
- Denial of illness
- impulsiveness
7
Q
Left Hemisphere stroke symptoms
A
- Aphasia, alexia, dyslexia
- Acalculia
- Right visual field deficit
- Anxiety, anger, frustration
- Intellectual impairment
8
Q
Stroke protocol (general)
A
- Goal of ED door to treatment:
< 60 minutes - Neuro exam q 15 min for first 2 hours
9
Q
Thrombolytic protocol
A
- IV (systemic) thrombolytic therapy
- Recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) or Retavase
- Eligibility criteria Last seen normal (LSN) less than 3 hours Can extend to 4.5 hours Age < 80 years No anticoagulant use, INR < or = 1.7 NIH scale < or = 25 NO history of both stroke AND diabetes Priority of care
10
Q
Stroke medication
A
- Thrombolytics
- Anticoagulants
ASA, clopidogrel - Lorazepam, other antiepileptics
- Calcium channel blockers
- Stool softeners
- Analgesics (for pain)
- Antianxiety drugs
11
Q
Stroke nursing interventions
A
- Neuro assessments Post thrombolytic NIH guidelines - Monitor ICP - Safety (unilateral neglect) - Emotional support - Education - Bed at least 30 degrees
12
Q
Brain tumor nonsurgical management
A
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy
Orally, IV, intra-arterially or intrathecally
Direct drug delivery post-surgically - Stereotactic radiosurgery
Gamma knife, CyperKnife
13
Q
Brain tumor craniotomy
A
- Surgical removal of a section of bone (bone flap) from the skull for the purpose of operating on the underlying tissues, usually the brain
14
Q
Brain tumor medication
A
- Analgesics
- Dexamethasone
- Phenytoin
- Pantoprazole (protonix)
15
Q
Craniotomy post-op care
A
- Fluid balance: Observe for DI/SIADH
- Incision
Assess site
Observe presence or absence of bone flap
Observe for CSF leak - Monitor ICP/Decrease ICP
Ventriculostomy - Avoid activities that increase ICP
Stool softeners to avoid valsalva
Antiemetics for N/V
Antipyretics/cooling blanket for fever - DVT prophylaxis
- Stress ulcers: Cushing Stress Ulcer
- Pneumonia:
High risk aspiration altered LOC - Proper positioning:
Avoid body position that increase ICP - Eye care
Washed, gloved hands
16
Q
Transsphenoidal hypophysectomy (TPH) nursing interventions
A
- HOB increase to 35-40°
- Hourly UOP
- Monitor electrolytes
- Avoid any straining
Antiemetics
Do NOT blow your nose - Monitor for visual disturbances
17
Q
Transsphenoidal hypophysectomy (TPH) complications
A
- Air embolism
- CSF leak
meningitis - Diabetes Insipidus
- Visual disturbances
18
Q
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (SAH) from cerebral aneurysm
A
- Bleeding in the space between the brain and the tissue covering the brain.
- Damage to microvessels in the subarachnoid space