Neurological Flashcards
Common co morbidities affecting brain?
HTN Atherosclerosis Diabetes Heart conditions Clots Dementia Liver failure d/t increased ammonia Chronic pain
Diagnostics for neurological problems?
CT, MRI EEG SPEC, PET Angiography Electrolytes Blood glucose ABGs CBC-diff Toxicology
Good LOC?
General awareness of oneself and surrounding environment
Brain is receiving constant supply of oxygen and glucose
Levels of consciousness?
Full: A&O
Confusion: unable to think rapidly and clearly, short attention span
Disorientation: disorientated to time and place
Stuporous: responsive to painful stimuli
Comatose: unarousable
What is the Glasgow coma scale?
Standardized system for assessing the degree of conscious impairment in pts and predicting the duration/outcome of coma or injury
Used to measure and track problems
15 is best score
3= comatose
Components of Glasgow coma scale?
Eye opening response
Best verbal response
Best motor response
Data to collect during neurological assessment?
Visual changes Ringing is ears, dizzy Numbness or tingling Any med or alcohol use? VS PERRLA N/V R & L sides symmetrical?
Data collection for unconscious pts?
Any changes in breathing? Assess babinski reflex (foot) Assess corneal reflex Assess gag reflex Abnormal posturing -decorticate: flexion -decerebrate: extension
What is nystagmus?
Eye drift
Continual eye movement
Seizure precautions?
Emergency equipment Bed in low position Bed closer to nursing station Bed alarm Adjusting environment All 4 bed rails Call bell in reach Pt teaching Pt aware of auora?
What is given for statices epilepticus?
IV diazepam
A dangerous condition when seizures follow one after another without recovery of consciousness between them
Documentation if pt has seizure?
What you see Meds given Pt teaching done Pt status before and after seizure Interventions done How long did it last Was it witnessed How did you leave them Subjective data from pt
What is increased ICP?
When pressure inside skull rises
Serious condition that needs immediate treatment
Made up of CSF, blood and brain
What is cushings triad?
Irregular resps
Bradycardia (slow HR)
Systolic HTN (widening pulse pressure)
Valsalva maneuver?
Performed by attempting to forcefully exhale against a closed airway