multiple sclerosis Flashcards
chiasm
part of brain where optic nerves partially cross
-function: is to allow one eye to see what the other eye is seeing
early signs
LE weakness and fatigue
other s/s
depression, numbness, loss of balance, muscle spasticity
visual disturbances - blurring of vision, diplopia, scotoma (patchy blindness, total blindness;
later on s/s
Pain and/or paresthesia – due to lesions of sensory pathways;
Involvement of cerebellum or basal ganglia- ataxia (impaired coordination of movements), tremors;
Bowel dysfunction, bladder dysfunction (neurogenic bladder- no longer feel when they have to feel to pee), sexual dysfunction
lab diagnostics
CSF- elevated protein, slight increase in WBC
MRI- plaques of the brain and spine- the most diagnostic!
management
No cure yet
Symptomatic treatment
Goal: delay the progression of the disease
Nursing care
Prevent UTI- increase fluid intake, intermittent urinary catheterization, Crede maneuver
Facilitate communication
** explore sources of support, group the care
medications
- Azathioprine (Imuran); Cyclosporine (Sandimmune)- immunosuppressive agents
- Prednisone
- Antispasmodic- Dantrolene (dantrium), tinazidine (zanaplex), baclofen (lioresal), diazepam (valium)
Others:
Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
Interferon Beta
crede maneuver
place pressure on abd (bladder) to expel urine
Azathioprine (Imuran); Cyclosporine (Sandimmune)- immunosuppressive agents
reduce frequency of relapse
SE: immunosuppression- sore throat, fever, s/s of infection
Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
anticonvulsant to treat parathesia
Interferon Beta
prevent or treat relapse
Prednisone
prevent or treat relapse
SE: GI bleed, hyperglycemia, take w/ food or milk, personality changes
