Neuro Conditions Flashcards
inflammatory conditions of the brain
brain abscesses, meningitis, encephalitis
bacterial meningitis
acute inflammation of meningeal tissue surrounding brain and spinal cord
when does bacterial meningitis occur
fall, winter, or early spring
what is bacterial meningitis typically r/t
a viral respiratory disease
what are the leading causes of bacterial meningitis
streptococcus pneumonial, neisseria, meningitis
pathophysiology of bacterial meningitis
organisms enter CNS through upper respiratory tract/bloodstream; may enter through skull wounds/fractures
inflammatory response of bacterial meningitis
increased cerebrospinal fluid production; purulent secretions spread to other areas of brain through CSF; cerebral edema and increased ICP becomes problematic (if extends to parenchyma)
key signs of bacterial meningitis
fever, severe headache, nausea, vomiting, nuchal rigidity
2 ways to check for bacterial meningitis
tuck chin in, light sensitivity, and fever
when would a coma be associated with a poor prognosis
photophobia; decreased level of consciousness
signs of increased intracranial pressure
seizure occurs in 1/3 cases; headache worsens; vomiting and irritability
complications of bacterial meningitis
increased ICP; residual neurologic function; optic nerve (CN II) compressed by increased ICP; ocular movements affected with irritation to CN III, IV, VI; CN V irritation; inflammation of CN VII; irritation of CN VIII; hemiparesis, dysphagia, hemianopsia; cerebral abscess, subdural empyema, subdural effusion, or persistent meningitis occurs if everything doesn’t happen
increased ICP s/s
major cause in change in mental status
residual neurologic function s/s
cranial nerves II, III, IV,V, VI, VII, VIII can become dysfunctional
optic nerve (CN II) compressed by increased ICP s/s
papilledema with possible blindness
ocular movements affected with irritation to CN III, IV, and VI s/s
ptosis, unequal pupils, diplopia
CN V irritation s/s
sensory loss and loss of corneal reflex
inflammation of CN VII s/s
facial paresis
irritation of CN VIII s/s
tinnitus, vertigo, deafness; hearing loss may be permanent
what might acute cerebral edema cause
seizures, CN II palsy, bradycardia, hypertensive coma, death
diagnostic studies for neuro condition
blood culture; CT scan; neutrophils are predominant WBC in CSF; x-rays of the skull; MRI