Neuro/Autism Flashcards
How much does the brain grow in the first year of life?
2.5 times original weight
What does babies brain need to grow?
Glucose
What percent does a babies head weight vs adult head weigh?
10% of newborns weight
2% of adult weight
Which electrolyte has an inverse relationship with water? What does this mean?
Salt
80% of newborns brain is water –> shifts in salt/water can provoke seizures
When does the fontanel close? What does this matter?
Anterior: 18 months
Posterior: 2 months
Can accommodate for increased ICP and hydrocephalus better than adults d/t expanding fontanels
What is papilledema? Is this common?
Swelling of the optic nerve form increase intracranial pressure
Rare
How much cerebrospinal fluid does an infant have vs. and adult?
50ml for infant
150ml for adult
Much lower baseline ICP
What are some tips and tricks to complete a pediatric neuro exam? (9)
Observation of play/activity
Doorway assessment
“Not acting right”
Hand sized toys to assess motor coordination,neuro-muscular strength
Extra ocular movements
Cognitive skills/speech
Finger to nose
Silly games
Sensory function such as soft/hard, cold/hot
What are some red flags on a neuro assessment? (5)
Delay in expected milestone
Regression or loss of milestone
Persistence or reappearance of primitive reflexes that should be gone by 5-9 months
Rapid change in head circumference - bulging fontanels
High pitched cry (underlying neuro/IICP)
What is full LOC?
awake, oriented, interacts with objects
What is confused LOC?
Lacks ability to think clearly
What is disoriented LOC?
Lacks ability to recognize place or person
What is lethargic LOC?
awakens easily but exhibits limited responsiveness
What is obtunded LOC?
sleep unless aroused, once aroused they have limited interaction with the environment
What is stupor LOC?
requires considerable stimulation to arouse
What is coma LOC?
vigorous stimulation and still produces no verbal or motor response
If a parent tell you their child is lethargic, obtunded, ect.. what should you ask them?
Also ask them what they mean. They may have different meanings than healthcare.
What causes ICP? If increase ICP is not relieved what can occur?
Brain mass
CSF
Blood
Unrelieved –> herniation and death
What does herniation present as?
EOL posturing
Cushing triad
Cheyne-strokes respirations
What is the nursing diagnosis for increased ICP?
Ineffective tissue perfusion r/t increased ICP d/t too much pressure on brain tissue
What is the cause of IICP r/t congenital hydrocephalus? TBI?
Congenital hydrocephalus: imbalance of CSF
TBI: tissue edema, bleeding
What should the head be the same size of?
Chest
What is a neural tube defect? What if it is a high defect? What is the most common cause?
Defect in vertebrae that can occur at any level in spinal column
The higher the defect, the greater neurological dysfunction
Lack of folic acid in mom
What is the cause of neural tube defect? When do neural tubes form? How is it diagnosed?
Multifactorial etiology
4th week of gestation
Parental or postnatal diagnosis
What is a protective factor against neural tube defect?
Folic acid
What type of defect is Spina Bifida?
Neural tube defect
What are the classifications of Spina Bifida? (3)
Occulta (most minor)
Meningocele
Myelomeningocele (most severe)
What are the CM of Spina Bifida occulta? (8)
Cutaneous lesions - dimple in the skill
Vertebral malformation ONLY
Tethered cord
Presentation/diagnosis delayed
Bowel and bladder deficits
Persistent toe walking
Back pain
Not much neuro impairment
What does a tethered cord present as?
Pain
Toe walking
Bowel and bladder issues
Where does Spina Bifida myelomeningocele affect?
Spinal cord
Meninges
CSF
What are the nursing diagnoses r/t Spina Bifida myelomeningocele
Risk for poor cerebral perfusion
Risk for infection