Neuro Assessment Flashcards
what is dysarthria?
difficulty articulating/speaking
long term memory would include what things?
birthday, schools attended, city of birth, moms maiden name
recall memory would include what things?
medical hx accuracy, HCP seen recently, transportation to hospital
immediate memory would include what things?
say 3 words and ask the pt to repeat the words, ask for the same words in 5 minutes
what scale is used to assess a pts neuro status?
glasgow coma scale
what is a CSF analysis used for?
provide information about a variety of CNS diseases
what is the most common method of sampling CSF?
lumbar puncture
lumbar puncture is contraindicated if what 2 things?
- increased intracranial pressure
- infection at the site of the puncture
what does normal CSF look like?
clear, colorless, odorless, free of RBC
what to do before a lumbar puncture?
before: have pt void, tell pt they may feel temporary sharp pain
what position is pt normally in during a lumbar puncture?
side lying or seated
what to do after a lumbar puncture?
encourage fluids, monitor neuro signs and VS, monitor for headache or s/s of local trauma (hematoma , pain), give pain meds prn
how long is pt on bed rest after LP?
4-8 hrs in flat position
nursing care for Computed Tomography scan
monitor for delayed allergic reaction to contrast
important for pt to do during CT
lie perfectly still
what allergies are a contraindication for contrast?
shellfish, iodine, dye
what is MRI a better picture than?
CT scan
what does MRI detect?
strokes, MS, tumors, trauma, herniation, seizures
what does an MRA look at?
vessels/circulation of blood
what will be done before a PET scan?
2 IV lines inserted, pt cannot take sedatives, pt empty bladder
what is a myelogram?
xray of spinal cord and vertebral column, injection of contrast into subarachnoid space
what does a myelogram detect?
herniated/ruptured disc, spinal tumor
before a myelogram
administer sedative, pt empty bladder, inform pt test performed on tilting table
after myelogram
lie flat for a few hours, fluids, monitor neuro status and VS, headache/ nausea/vomiting may occur
what does an electroencephalography evaluate?
seizure disorders, cerebral dz, brain injury, brain death
EEG prep
-pt may be sleep deprived to increase chances of seizure
-withhold tranquilizers and stimulants 24-48 hrs before
-pt will still eat, altered BG level can change brain wave patterns
-remove all metal
-EEG takes 45-60 min
-no shock
electromyography is useful in determining what
presence of neuromuscular disorders and myopathies
how do they perform an EMG?
needle electrodes inserted into muscle to record motor units
before a nerve conduction study
explain procedure - stimulus can be applied on surface of skin at peripheral nerves and speed of conduction is measured
evoked potential is recorded by electrodes where?
skin and scalp
evoked potential can be used to diagnose what?
MS
what to do with ultrasound before?
(carotid artery duplex scan, transcranial doppler, biopsies)
explain procedure to pt
