ICP, HA, Seizures, Myanstasia Gravis, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's, ALS, Huntinington's Flashcards
What are the signs and symptoms of a concussion?
- brief disruption in LOC
- amnesia
- HA
- Dizziness
- N/V
What are the signs and symptoms of post-concussion syndrome?
- persistent HA
- lethargy
- personality and behavior changes
- shortened attention span
- dec short-term memory
- changes in intellectual ability
When is it considered post-concussion syndrome?
if the symptoms of concussion persist for 2weeks- 2 months
contusion
bruising of brain tissue w/n a focal area
What do you do when someone has a cerebral laceration?
give prophylactic antibiotics until you can rule out meningitis
contusion
bruising of brain tissue w/n a focal area
contusion can elicit seizures
What do you do when someone has a cerebral laceration?
give prophylactic antibiotics until you can rule out meningitis
What is it important to assess when someone presents with a contusion/ cerebral laceration?
if they are on anticoagulants
What are the 3 different types of hematoma?
- epidural
- subdural
- intracerebral
epidural hematoma
- blood btw the skull and dura mater
- pt has brief unconsciousness — then awake and lucid — then has decreased LOC
- most serious type of hematoma => coma
- surgical emergency
tx for epidural hematoma
craniotomy -rapidly evacuate the tumor
If there is an inc in ICP… administer high doses of lasix
subdural hematoma
- blood btw dura matter and arachnoid layer
- SLOW growing hematoma
- d/t arterial hemorrhage we will see symptoms on day 2 and symptoms may last up to 14 days
- often misinterpreted as a stroke or demential in older adults
- chronic alcoholics are at risk d/t lack of nourishment and freq falls
intracerebral hematoma
- blood deep in the brain tissue d/t injury form the frontal and temporal lobes
- occurs when a blood vessel w/n the brain ruptures allowing blood to leak inside the brain
- bone might become depressed and if there is an indentation we might need to do a craniotomy to get it back into shape
- or craniotomy and then a cranioplasty to cover the area
What are issues that the older pt faces when they have major head trauma?
- less able to tolerate respiratory problems
- atypical presentation
- poor stamina may impede participation in rehabilitation
- pre-existing cognitive problems impact recovery
What are the nursing interventions for someone with a hematoma?
- Airway, Breathing, Circulation
- keep free from pain, discomfort, and infection
- monitor for CSF leakage and increased ICP
When is bacterial meningitis prevalent?
- fall, winter, and early spring because everyone is inside in close confinement with others
What does bacterial meningitis lead to?
- increase in CSF
- increase in ICP
What are the s/s of bacterial meningitis?
- photophobia
- nuchal rigidity (neck stiffness)
- fever
- severe HA
- N/V
- positive kerning’s sign
- positive brudzinski’s sign
- inc ICP
- seizure
What s/s of bacterial meningitis are specific to street-meningococcus organism?
- petechiae
- skin rash
what is positive kerning’s sign?
pt lays flat on back, flex the hip and knee and try to extend the leg at the knee joint
( if there is pain (i.e severe HA) or spasm in the hamstring then it is positive)
What is positive brudzinski’s sign?
when you put the neck to the chest and the legs come up with them?
What are the s/s of inc ICP?
- vision changes, changes in ocular movements
- loss of corneal reflex
- seonsory loss
- facial paresis
- tinnitus
- vertigo
- hemiparesis
- dysphagia
- hemianopia
- hydrocephalus if CSF is obstructed
How do you diagnose bacterial meningititis?
- lumbar puncture and analysis of CSF
- ## x-rays, CT scan, MRI
What are the s/s of inc ICP?
- vision changes, changes in ocular movements
- loss of corneal reflex
- sensory loss
- facial paresis
- tinnitus
- vertigo
- hemiparesis
- dysphagia
- hemianopia
- hydrocephalus if CSF is obstructed
How do you diagnose bacterial meningititis?
- lumbar puncture and analysis of CSF
- x-rays, CT scan, MRI
What must be done prior to a lumbar puncture to r/o bacterial meningitis?
CT scan to r/o obstruction of the foramen magnum
What are nursing interventions for bacterial meningitis?
- quiet, dark environment
- elevate HOB 20-30 degrees (no more than 30)
- provide with small freq meals because they will lose their appetite
- possibly administer antienemics with small sips of water for nausea
- initiate seizure precautions
- put pt on respiratory (droplet and contact) isolation
- normothermal environment
what is the tx for bacterial meningitis?
antibiotics: rocephin or vancomycin
What is the most important pt teaching to prevent bacterial meningitis?
- vaccines
What causes viral meningitis?
- enterovirus
- arbovirus
- HIV
- HSV
What are the s/s of viral meningitis?
- HA
- Fever
- Photophobia
- Stiff Neck
- ***NO INC IN ICP
How do you diagnose/differentiate viral meningitis?
- lumbar puncture and get the CSF via Xpert EV test