Neurological Alterations Flashcards
what is cerebral palsy?
non progressive injury to the motor centers of the brain causing neuromuscular problems of spasticity or dyskinesia (involuntary movements)
what are two associated problems that may occur with cerebral palsy?
- intellectual disability
- seizures
what are 4 common causes of cerebral palsy?
- low birthweight (major risk factor)
- anoxic injury before, during, or after birth
- maternal infections
- kernicterus (brain damage that occurs in a newborn with severe jaundice)
Persistent neonatal reflexes (Moro, tonic neck) after six months maybe an indicator of what?
cerebral palsy
What are some common nursing assessments found with cerebral palsy?
- delayed developmental milestones
- apparent early preference for one hand
- poor suck, tongue thrust
- spasticity (may be described as “difficulty with diapering” by caregiver)
- Involuntary movements
- seizures
Scissoring of legs where the legs are extended and crossed over each other, feet or plantar-flexed, is a common characteristic of ________ cerebral palsy.
spastic
What are some nursing interventions for patients with cerebral palsy and their family?
- support family through grief process at diagnosis and throughout the child’s life because caring for a severely affected child is very challenging
- refer to community-based agencies
Identify cerebral palsy through follow-up of high-risk infants such as ________ infants.
premature
who are some specialists that need to be included in the care of patients who have cerebral palsy?
- physical therapy
- occupational therapy
- speech therapist
- nutritionist
- orthopedic surgeon
- neurologist
For patients who have cerebral palsy, administration of anticonvulsant medication such as ________ may be prescribed.
phenytoin (Dilantin)
For patients who have cerebral palsy, administration of _______ for muscle spasms may be prescribed.
diazepam (Valium)
When feeding an infant or child who has cerebral palsy using nursing interventions aimed at preventing _________ is a top priority.
aspiration
to prevent aspiration when feeding an infant or child who has cerebral palsy the nurse or caregiver should maintain the child in a(n) _________ position and support the _______ jaw.
- upright
- lower
what are some sentence symptoms of increased intracranial pressure for infants?
- poor feeding or vomiting
- irritability or restlessness
- lethargy
- bulging fontanel(s)
- high-pitched cry
- increased head circumference
- separation of cranial sutures
- distended scalp veins
- eyes deviated downward
- increased or decreased pain response
what are some signs and symptoms of increased intracranial pressure for children?
- headache
- diplopia (double vision)
- mood swings
- slurred speech
- Papilledema (swelling of the optic nerve)
- altered LOC
- nausea and vomiting, especially in the morning
What are some preoperative nursing interventions that are done for a patient who has spina bifida?
- place infant in prone position
- keep SAC free of stool and urine
- position child on his/her abdomen , with legs abducted
- measure head circumference every eight hours; Check fontanel
- assess neurologic function
- monitor for signs of infection
- empty bladder using Crede’s method, or in and out catheterization
- promote parent-infant bonding
- maintain integrity of the sack (moist, sterile 4x4’s)
- position the infant PRONE
- infants had turned to one side for feeding
- avoid contamination of sac area by urine or feces
- avoid rectal temps
- parents encouraged to stroke and talk to infant in prone position. Not allowed to hold, but may have infant in lap, prone, or on pillow
What are some postoperative nursing interventions are done for a patient who has spina bifida?
- make same assessments as preoperatively
- assess for signs of intracranial pressure (measure head circumference daily)
- assess for signs of infection
- prone or sideline
- infant may be held upright avoiding pressure on surgical site
- gentle range of motion exercises
- assess incision for drainage and infection assess neurologic function
What are some long-term care teaching interventions that need to be done for a patient who has spina bifida?
- teach family catheterization program when child is young
- help older children to learn self-catheterization; May require Mitrofanoff
- administer anticholinergics (oxybutynin) as prescribed for neurogenic bladder dysfunction
- develop bowel program
- assess skin condition frequently
- assist with ROM exercises, ambulation, embracing, if patient is able
What are some bowel program interventions that can be initiated for a patient who has spina bifida?
- high fiber diet
- increased fluids
- regular fluids
- suppositories as needed
- may require Chait/MACE tube for bowel irrigation
What is hydrocephalus?
condition characterized by an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the ventricles of the brain
-develops as a result of an imbalance between cerebrospinal fluid production and absorption , resulting in enlarged ventricles and an increase in intracranial pressure
Hydrocephalus is usually caused by an ___________ in the flow of CSF between the ventricles.
obstruction
Hydrocephalus is most often associated with what other neurological alteration?
spina bifida
Hydrocephalus can also be a complication of what type of infection?
meningitis
What are some early manifestations of hydrocephalus in an infant?
- rapid head growth
- full, bulging fontanel
- irritability
- poor feeding
- Distended, prominent scalp veins
- widely separated cranial structures
what are some late manifestations of hydrocephalus in infants?
- “setting sun” sign (eyes appear driven downward)
- frontal bone enlargement or bossing
- vomiting, difficulty swallowing or feeding
- hypertension
- Bradycardia
- altered respiratory pattern
- shrill, high-pitched cry
- sluggish or equal pupillary responses
what are some early manifestations of hydrocephalus in children?
- strabismus
- headache that occurs in the morning and is relieved by emesis or sitting upright
- nausea and vomiting (maybe projectile)
- diplopia
- restlessness
- behavior or personality changes
- ataxia
- sluggish or unequal pupillary responses
- confusion
- changes in school work
- lethargy
what are some late manifestations of hydrocephalus in children?
- seizures
- hypertension
- bradycardia
- alterations in respiratory pattern
- blindness from herniation of the optic disc
- decerebrate rigidity
What are some nursing interventions that correspond with hydrocephalus?
- prepare infant and family for diagnostic procedures
- monitor for signs of increased intracranial pressure
- maintain seizure professions
- prepare parents for surgical procedure
what are the 2 surgical options for hydrocephalus?
- VST: Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt
- shunt is inserted into ventricle
- tubing is tunneled through skin to peritoneum where it drains excess CSF
- ETV: endoscopic third ventriculostomy
What are some postoperative interventions that we should watch for in infants who have received surgery for hydrocephalus?
- changes in size, signs of bulging, tenseness , and separation in fontanels and suture lines
- irritability, lethargy, or seizure activity
- altered vital signs in feeding behavior
What are some postoperative interventions that we should watch for in older children who have received surgery for hydrocephalus, and we suspect that there may be an increase in intracranial pressure?
- change in LOC
- complaint of headache
- changes in customary behavior (sleep patterns, developmental capabilities)
what are a couple general nursing interventions that need to be provided post-op for patients who have received surgery for hydrocephalus?
- assess for signs of infection
- monitor I&O closely
what are some teaching interventions for home care programs for a patient who have received hydrocephalus surgery?
- teach to watch for signs of increased intracranial pressure or infection
- note the child will eventually outgrow shunt and show symptoms of difficulty
- note that child will need shunt revision
- provide anticipatory guidance for potential problems with growth and development
The signs of increase intracranial pressure are the opposite of those of _______.
shock (tachycardia, hypotension)
LATE signs of increased intracranial pressure, include what?
Bradycardia and hypertension
What are seizures?
uncontrolled electrical discharges of neurons in the brain
Seizures are more common in children under the age of ___ years.
2
seizures can be associated with other things which include?
- immaturity of CNS
- fever
- infection
- neoplasms
- cerebral anoxia
- metabolic disorders
Generalized seizures include what type?
- tonic-clonic
- absence
- myoclonic
what is a tonic-clonic seizure and the two phases of it?
- loss of consciousness
- tonic phase: general stiffness of entire body
- clonic phase: Spasm followed by relaxation
how does an absence seizure present?
momentary loss of consciousness, posture is maintained; has minor face, eye, hand movements
how does a myoclonic seizure present?
- sudden, brief contractures of a muscle or group of muscles, no POS tickle state; rapid jerking movements
- may or may not be symmetrical or include loss of consciousness
Focal onset seizures (formally known as partial seizures) arise from a specific area in the brain an cause ______ symptoms.
limited
what are some S&S of tonic-clonic seizures and post seizure?
- aura (a warning sign of impending seizure)
- loss of consciousness
- apnea, cyanosis
- pupils dilated and non-reactive to light
- incontinence
- post seizure; disoriented, sleepy
what are some S&S of absence seizures?
- last 5 to 10 seconds
- child appears to be inattentive, daydreaming
- poor performance in school
what age group is mostly affected by absent seizures?
- 4 and 12 years of age
- preschool in school age
What is the most common cause of increased seizure activity?
medication noncompliance
what are some nursing interventions to consider with seizures?
- maintain airway during seizure; Turn patient on side to aid ventilation
- do not restrain patient
- protect patient from injury during seizure and support head
- avoid neck flexion
- document seizure, noting all data in assessment
- maintain seizure precautions
what are some key precautions to initiate for patients who have seizures?
- reduce environmental stimuli
- pad side rails or crib rails
- have suction equipment and oxygen quickly assessable
- have oral airway at bedside
What is bacterial meningitis?
disorder of the meninges that cover the brain and spinal cord
Meningitis is usually caused by what 3 infections?
- Haemophilus influenza type B
- Streptococcus pneumonia
- Neisseria meningitides
What are the two common sources/entrance point of bacterial invasion?
- Middle ear
- nasopharynx
Bacterial Meningitis can occur from what other sources of bacteria from wounds include?
- fractures of the skull
- lumbar punctures
- shunts
what are the results of a lumbar puncture test show if a patient is positive for bacterial meningitis?
- increased WBC
- decreased glucose
- elevated protein
- increased ICP
- positive culture for meningitis
what are the S&S for infants who is suspected to have bacterial meningitis?
- absence of classic signs
- ill, with general symptoms
- poor feeding
- vomiting
- irritability
- seizures
- bulging fontanel (important sign)
what are the S&S for older children who we suspect have bacterial meningitis?
- classic signs of increased ICP
- fever, chills
- neck stiffness
- opisthotonos (spasm of muscles causing backward arching of the head, neck, and spine)
- photophobia
- positive Kernig sign (inability to extend leg when thigh is flexed anteriorly at hip)
- positive Brudzinski sign (neck flexion causing adduction and flexion movement of lower extremities)
Patients who have bacterial meningitis should stay on droplet precautions for at least ____ hours.
24
What two types of drugs should be administered for bacterial meningitis?
- antibiotics
- antipyretics
what type of antibiotics can be given for bacterial meningitis?
- penicillin
- cephalosporins
- aminoglycosides in patients who are <30days, so out of the newborn phase
what are some other nursing interventions that need to be provided for a patient who has bacterial meningitis?
- monitor vital signs
- monitor neurologic signs
- keep environment quiet and dark to prevent overstimulation
- implement seizure precautions
- position for comfort: head of bed slightly elevated, with client on side if prescribed
- measure head circumference daily in infants
- monitor I&O closely
- administer HIB vaccine to protect against H. influenza infection
with meningitis there may be inappropriate ____ secretions causing fluid retention (cerebral edema) and dilutional hyponatremia, so monitoring hydration status an IV therapy carefully is essential.
ADH (anti-diuretic hormone)
What is Reye syndrome?
acute, rapid progressing encephalopathy and hepatic dysfunction
- in past, associated with aspirin (salicylates) being given during a viral illness such as varicella or influenza
- fever, impaired consciousness, and disordered hepatic function-metabolic encephalopathy
- cerebral edema and fatty changes to liver
- diagnosed vis liver biopsy
- early intervention and aggressive treatment necessary
- may have prolonged bleeding times with liver involvement
what are some causes of Reye syndrome?
antecedente viral infections (influenza or Chickenpox)