Neuro Conditions Flashcards
a. Acute inflammation of meningeal tissue surrounding brain and spinal cord
i. Usually occurs in fall, winter, or early spring
Bacterial Meningitis
Bacterial meningitis patho
Strept (enter CNS upper respiratory tract)
Enter skull wounds/fractured sinuses
i. Increased CSF production
ii. Purulent secretions spread to other areas of brain through CSF
Inflammatory response: bacterial meningitis
Key signs of meningitis
i. Fever, Severe headache
ii. Nausea, vomiting, Nuchal rigidity (stiff neck)
Signs of Increased ICP (meningitis)
Coma associated with poor prognosis
- Decreased LOC
- Seizures occur in 1/3 of all cases
- Headache worsens
- Vomiting and irritability may occur
- Decerebrate & Decorticate
i. Pt lay flat on table
ii. Examiner lifts legs at 90 deg
iii. Pt cannot straighten the leg—stays bent
Kernig sign
i. Flat on table
ii. Examiner is going to lift and curl neck
iii. Pt bends knees on the table
Brudzinski
Diagnostic studies
Blood culture
Lumbar puncture
Neutrophils are predominant WBC in CSF
Elevated levels of protein in CSF
Lumbar puncture how to
v. Post Dural headache-should stay laying down after puncture
vi. Sit @ side of bed—arms over the table
vii. Laying on side: cannon ball position
Fluids:
Bacterial:
Viral:
iii. Fluid is going to be cloudy—bacteria
iv. Clear fluid—viral
crucial with care of bacterial meningitis
Rapid diagnosis crucial
Antibiotics are done even before diagnosis is confirmed
health promotion for bacterial meningitis
i. Vaccinations for pneumonia and influenza
ii. Meningococcal vaccines
iii. Early, vigorous treatment of respiratory tract & ear infections
iv. Prophylactic antibiotics for anyone exposed to bacterial meningitis
Acute care: BM
quiet environment Fever; severe headache HOB slightly elevated relief for neck p! cool & dark room for photophobia
minimize stimuli
Manage what with bacterial?
Fever
Respiratory isolation until cultures are negative
Ambulatory care for BM
Several weeks of recovery
increase activity as tolerated
progressive ROM
