FINALS Flashcards
everything in 1 (including medications)
Describe the concept of intracranial regulation.
-The mechanisms or conditions that impact intracranial processing and function.
-Refers to the body’s processes to maintain a stable and balanced environment within the skull to ensure proper brain function.
-Factors contributing to intracranial regulations are cerebral blood flow, CSF production and absorption, intracranial pressure, and brain tissue volume.
Increased ICP
-Common pathway for brain injury.
-Can obstruct cerebral blood flow, destroy brain cells, displace brain tissue, damage delicate brain structures, can cause brain herniation (comps).
-10% blood, 10% CSF, 80% brain tissue
Causes of ICP
-Opioids
-Cerebral edema
-Excessive/blocked CSF
-Hemorrhage/hematoma
-Tumors
-HTN
-Infections
Manifestations/Comps of ICP
-Early: decreased alertness, drowsy, small/sluggish reaction pupils, hemiparesis, no vitals change, headache & slurred speech.
-Late: stupor/coma, large & nonreactive pupils, hemiplegia, *HTN, *wide pulse pressure, *bradycardia, *abnormal resp pattern, vomiting
**Cushing triad
Medications for ICP
-Osmotic diuretics
-Antipyretics
-Antiseizure.
-Beta-blockers (for increased HTN).
-H2 blockers.
-Proton pump inhibitors.
Cerebral Edema
-Life-threatening condition that occurs when fluid builds up in the brain tissues causing increased pressure inside the skull.
-Vasogenic - extracellular
-Cytotoxic - intracellular
Treatment for Cerebral Edema
-Decrease ICP w/ Mannitol
-Oxygen
-Decrease Inflammation - glucocorticoids
-Support HTN
Epidural hematoma
-rapid arterial bleeding.
-unconsciousness & brief lucid period.
-most serious because of immense bleeding.
Subdural hematoma
-bridging veins.
-slower venous bleeding.
-gradual development over days & weeks.
Intracerebral hematoma
-single or multiple.
-more common in the frontal lobe.
-small vessel injury WITHIN the brain.
-trauma or hemorrhagic stroke.
-immediate or delayed.
Brain Injury
-Skull fractures.
-Focal brain fracture -> contusion (bruise), laceration, hemorrhage.
-Diffuse -> CONCUSSION, diffuse axonal.
-Secondary brain injury (diffuse or multifocal) -> edema, infection, hypoxic brain damage.
Concussion
-Mild traumatic brain injury -> leads to swelling.
-Second injury can result in permanent damage.
-Injured brain cells.
Complications of Concussion
-Post-concussion syndrome -> immediate no conscious, short amnesia.
-Post-traumatic seizures.
-Chronic encephalopathy.
-Headache
-Irritability
-Insomnia, poor concentration/memory.
Types of Brain Tumors
-Primary intracranial (from neuroepithelial tissue): Neurons, neuroglia
-Primary intracranial (skull cavity): Meninges, pituitary gland, pineal gland, primary CNS - not derived from brain.
-Metastatic tumors.
-Benign & malignant.
Types (continued)
-Gliomas
-Meningiomas
-Primary CNS lymphomas
Brain Tumor Manifestations
-Increased ICP
-Focal disturbances in brain function: edema, disturbance in blood flow, tumor infiltration, brain compression.
Brain Tumor Diagnoses
-MRI, CT scans, electroencephalogram, visual field examination, physical & neurologic examinations.
Brain Tumor Treatment
-Surgery, irradiation, chemotherapy.
Meningitis
-Inflammation of the pia mater, arachnoid & subarachnoid space.
-Inflammation spreads rapidly because of CSF circulation around the brain & spinal cord.
-Usually caused by infection; chemical possible.
-Bacterial - acute purulent meningitis.
-Viral - acute lymphocytic.
Manifestations of Meningitis
-Stiff neck (nuchal rigidity), ALTERED MENTAL STATUS, confusion, fever.
-Headache, vomiting, nausea.
Meningitis Diagnoses
-Lumbar puncture to examine CSF
-CLOUDY CEREBROSPINAL FLUID
-bacterial -> a lot of protein & neutrophil content. reduced sugar.
-viral -> a lot of lymphocyte content. moderate protein. reduced sugar content.