Neurological Flashcards
Increased Intracranial Pressure
High pressure inside cranium which puts increase pressure on the brain, eventually crushing the brain stem which controls breathing and heart rate = eventually kills patient
ICP Causes
Increased Blood - Stroke
Increased pressure in the brain
Head trauma
Meningitis
Increased brain tissue
ICP Pathophysiology
Increased pressure that compresses the brain
Compresses blood vessels that carry oxygen to the brain
Less blood means less oxygen resulting in a change of LOC (cerebral hypoxia)
Earliest Sign of ICP
Reduced LOC or Decreased mental status
ICP Early signs and symptoms
Altered LOC: irritability, restlessness
Decreased mental status
Sleepiness
Flat affect and drowsiness
ICP Moderate Signs
Headache: Constant
Sudden vomiting without nausea
Late Deadly signs and symptoms
Cheyne stokes respirations
Neck: Nuchal rigidity (stiff neck)
Cannot flex chin towards chest
Symptoms off ICP if brainstem is involved
Brain stem affected:
Eyes: pupils sized and dilated, unequal
8mm (normal 2-6)
Foot: Babinski reflex (toes fan out when stimulated = BAD
Seizures and coma
Abnormal posturing
Decorticate
Decerebrate
priority assessment findings for a client recovering from a bad trauma
Extremities that contracted to the core of the body
Fixed pupils that remain 8mm when assessed with a pen light
Toes that can out when the sole of the foot is stroked
Cushing Triad
Low HR
Low RR
Wide pulse pressure (BP numbers farther apart from each other)
High BP
ICP Diagnostics
CT scan
No lumber puncture - can cause worsening ICP
ICP monitoring: Normal ICP between 5-15
Client found non the floor, appearing lethargic bleeding at the back of head, heart rate of 45 bPM and a BP of 220/88. What is your first action?
Immediate C spine and CT scan to rule out intracranial bleed
ICP Nursing Interventions
immobilize head
Long roll as one unit
CO2 is low = low ICP
HOB semu fowlers - 30-35%
No flexion and bending extremities
No coughing, sneezing, blowing nose
no valsalva maneuvers
Suctioning: 1only when necessary 0 seconds or less, 100% O2 before and after suctioning
GCS Score
15 = Highest score
8 = Intubate
3 = lowest score
Report decreasing GCS
ICP Treatment
1 drug to know: Mannitol - osmotic diuretic
Seizure prevention: Phenytoin
Swellin: Dexamethasone. Phenoobarbital
Immediate intervention when a client with ICP states…
I will turn, cough and deep breath
Viral/Bacterial Meningitis
The inflammation of the meninges which is the inner lying of the brain and spinal cord
This Inflammation can cause massive swelling in the cranium putting lots of pressure non the brain and leading to deadly ICP
Causes of Meningitis
Infection: Viral or bacterial
*Bacterial = bad, most contagious
Viral = Very common, most tested
Head trauma
Autoimmune disease - lupus
Signs and Symptoms of Meningitis
Headache and Photophobia
Hard stiff neck “Nuchal rigidity”
High Temp “Fever”
Signs and Symptoms Meningitis Paediatrics
High pitched Cry
Bulging Fontanella
3 Layers of Meninges
Meninges are comprised of three layers
Dura mater
Arachnoid mater
Pit mater
Meningitis Diagnosis
Positive Kernig sign
lying on back and straightening leg, very painful if patient has meningitis
Positive Brudzinski Sign
When neck is flexed, hips and knees also flex
CT Scan done before lumbar puncture (lumbar puncture can worsen ICP)
LP (lumbar puncture, spinal tap)
Test the CSF - cerebrospinal fluid for infection
Viral - Very clear
Bacterial - Bad cloudy
Both will have elevated WBC count since there is an infection inside the body
Nursing Care Lumbar Puncture
Have pt empty their bladder
Pt lying, round back pulling their knees too their chest like a cannonball for over bedside table
Never prone
Monitor insertion site dressing for clear fluid - report this to HCP immediately
Meningitis Interventions
Place client on droplet precautions PPE comes first
Blood cultures
Give antibiotics
Fluids
Client is admitted for bacterial meningitis with a BP off 78/56 priority action?
Admin bolus of IV normal saline
Client with suspected meningitis, when neck flexes, the hip and knee also flex. Priority action?
Immediately report this finding to the HCP
Stroke
Also called CVA (cerebrovascular Accident)
Happens when the brain lacks oxygen typically due to clot in blood vessel that cuts off oxygen supply to the brain - Brain begins to die
TIA
Transient Ischemic Attack
Come and go and often resolve themselves
CVA
cerebrovascular Accident
NO oxygen = permanent damage
Two types
Ischemic: Clot = low O2
Hemorrhagic Bleed = HIGH ICP
Risk and Cause Stroke
Hypertension (over 140 sys)
Instruct pt to take antihypertensive medications regularly
over 200 systolic intervention
Keep systolic BP above 170 mmHg for the first 24-48 hours
Lower the BP slow and smooth no big drops
Stroke Causes
Smoking
Hyperlipedemia (high cholesterol)
uncontrolled diabetes
Increased risk for clots (afib)
stroke Signs and symptoms
Hemiparesis - Unilateral weakness: one sided weakness
New, sudden “arm drift”
FAST
Facial and smile drop
Arm drift
Speech impairment
Time to call 911 (CT scan immediately)
1 hour to seek medical attention
Hemorraghic Stroke Sign and Symptoms
Key sign: Severe headache
“worst headache of my life”
Stroke Affect on Body
Left sided stroke affects right side of body
Right sided stroke effects left side of body
Left Brain
Controls the L’s
Language and Logic
Dysphasia
Reading or writing problems
Right Hemiparesis
Right side neglect
Right Brain
Lack of impulse control
Behavioural changes
left side neglect
Left hemiparesis
Teaching for families of patients with right-sided brain injury
Lack of impulse control and behaviour changes
Stroke Diagnostic
CT scan immediatly to rule out type of stroke
Treatment for Ischemic Stroke
Clots: thrombolytics within 4.5 hours of onset of symptoms
ex. TPA, alteplase, streptokinase
Treatment for Hemorrhagic Stroke
Implement seizure precautions
No blood thinners
No aspirin and clopidogrel
No heparin and enoxaparin
No warfarin
No thrombolytics
Limit any activity that may increase ICP
Administer PRN stool softeners daily to precent straining
Interventions for initial plan off care for patient with suspected embolic stroke
Obtain a STAT CT of the head
Perform neuro assessment
Prepare to initiate alteplase with 4.5 hours of symptom onset
Priority nursing action for a patient with left sided weakness, lack of verbal response and dropping face
Maintain patient airway
Patient Education Hemianopsia
Half vision
Risk off self neglect
Dress the weaker side first
Apply clothing soon affected side first
Safety:
scan surroundings ed side
Turn head to the affected side
Approach patient from unaffected side
Stroke Nursing Interventions
NPO until swallow screen
Eating: protect airway
1. FLex neck while swallowing
Avoiid sedating med before meals
HOB up - high fowlers “upright”
Dysphagia (diff swallowing)
Puree diet
add thinking agent to fluids
Implement seizure precautions
Frequent neurological assessments
Cluster Care
Use transfer belt when transferring: strong side first
Avoid completing tasks for the client
Prevention of sensory overload in client with stroke
Obtain vitals and assist with morning care in one visit
The nurse provides instructions too help the client perform ADL’s
Paiently allow time to understand each instruction
Simple gestures (point) and show pictures
Ask yes or no questions
Normal voice not too loud
Broca Aphasia
Expressive
Easily frustrated attempting to speak
can understand but not speak
Speech limited to short phrases
Wernicke Aphasia
Receptive
Can speak but does not understand
Unable to comprehend speech