TBI/Head trauma/SCI Flashcards

1
Q

What is the triad portrayed in increased intracranial pressure? What are the symptoms? When is this seen?

A
  • Cushings Triad*
  • Increased Systolic BP (Widened pulse pressure)
  • Decreased HR
  • Decreased Respirations
  • VERY LATE STAGE OF increased ICP
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2
Q

The Monro-Kellie Doctrine states?

A
  • Cranial vault is closed system

- If 1 of 3 components increases (brain tissue, blood, csf) and the other 2 do not decrease, ICP will increase.

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3
Q

3 components of the cranial vault?

A
  • Brain tissue- 80%
  • Blood - 10%
  • CSF - 10%
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4
Q

A _____ fracture is a break in the continuity of the skull bone. (Bone is not moved at all)

A

Linear/simple

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5
Q

A ______fracture refers to a splintered or multiple fracture line.

A

comminuted

Note: can involve bone fragments and sharp pieces - displaced

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6
Q

A_____fracture refers to when the bones of the skull are forcefully displaced downward.

A

Depressed

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7
Q

If ICP remains elevated it can decrease ____? What is this?

A
  • cerebral perfusion pressure

* Net pressure gradient that drives oxygen delivery to the cerebral tissue

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8
Q

What does the GCS measure?
What are the 3 criteria?
What is the range indicating a severe head injury?

A
  • Measures LOC
  • Eye opening, Verbal, Motor responses
  • 3-8 (scale ranges from 3 to 15)
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9
Q

4 Positioning points for a client with increased ICP?

A
  • Elevated 30-45 degrees or as prescribed (Decreases intracranial pressure by promoting venous drainage)
  • Head in neutral position
  • avoid excessive neck and hip flexion
  • Prevent valsalva maneuver
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10
Q

What happens to the pulse pressure with increasing ICP?

A

*Widens

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11
Q

A unilaterally dilated and poorly responding pupil may indicate a developing _______. With pressure on the _____ cranial nerve due to _______.

A
  • Hematoma
  • 3rd cranial nerve
  • shifting of brain
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12
Q

Enlarged ventricles with sometimes little or no increase in intracranial pressure is called?

A

Normal pressure hydrocephalus

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13
Q

Triad of symptoms seen in normal pressure hydrocephalus?

A
  • Gait disturbances - Wide stance, slow steps
  • Cognitive impairments
  • Impaired bladder control
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14
Q

Describe shunt system used for NPH.

A
  • Burr hole in skull
  • Catheter is threaded into ventricle
  • Other tip of cath is placed where CSF can be drained (Abdomen/peritoneum).
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15
Q

Complications of ventricular shunt system?

A
  • Symptoms of NPH - gait, cognitive, bladder

* Infection, redness, swelling, fever

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16
Q

Primary vs Secondary brain injury

A

Primary - initial injury occurring after direct contact to head/brain (contusion, fracture)
Secondary - Evolves hours/days after initial injury as result of inadequate nutrients/o2 to cells (cerebral edema, Seizures)

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17
Q

Difference between open and closed head injuries?

A
Open = Tear in dura
Closed = Dura intact
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18
Q

What are some common clinical manifestations of a Basal skull fracture?

A
  • Raccoon eyes
  • Bruising over mastoid (Battle sign)
  • CSF otorrhea and rhinorrhea
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19
Q

How can you determine if rhinorrhea/otorrhea contains csf? When is this contradicted?

A

*Test for presence of glucose, indicating CSF. If there is blood present then Halo test can be done (Yellow ring around blood is csf)

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20
Q

What type of herniation is associated with EDH? What is this considered?

A
  • Uncal herniation (from pressure on midbrain)(decerebrate)

* Extreme emergency - respiratory arrest can occur

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21
Q

What are the symptoms that characterize EDH?

A

1st - Brief loss of consciousness
2nd - Lucid interval (awake and conversing)- due to compensatory mechanisms where CSF is absorbed.
3rd - Becomes restless and confused, eventually leading to coma, rapidly deteriorating (Compensatory mechanisms fail and slight increase in volume of blood clot cause increase in ICP).

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22
Q

Where does blood collect in an EDH? Where does this blood usually come from? Expansion speed?

A
  • Space between skull and dura mater
  • Middle meningeal artery (Arterial blood)
  • Rapidly expanding
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23
Q

Where does blood collect in an SDH? Where does this blood usually come from? Expansion speed?

A
  • Space between Dura mater and brain
  • Venous from small vessels
  • Slow expansion speed (can be acute or chronic)
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24
Q

Prognosis for subarachnoid hemorrhage in clients with TBI? What complication can occur and how is it treated? Causes?

A
  • Poor prognosis
  • Vasospasm - decreasing blood flow - treated with CCB nimodipine
  • Cerebral aneurysm and head trauma
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25
Q

S+S of Arterial dissection of carotid and vertebral arteries in neck?

A
  • Sudden focal neurologic changes
  • Neck pain
  • Horners Sign
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26
Q

3 characteristics of horners sign?

A
  • Ipsilateral miosis - Pupil constricted on one side
  • Ptosis- Drooping of upper eyelid
  • Anhidrosis - abscence of facial sweating
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27
Q

Describe diffuse axonal injury?

A
  • Damage (Tearing) to the axon of the nerve cell
  • Immediate and proglonged coma, decorticate/decerebrate posturing, cerebral edema
  • Poor prognosis depending on severity
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28
Q

Describe a concussion? How are they graded? What are some long term effects?

A
  • Confusion or loss of consciousness for a short period of time
  • graded by duration of mental status abnormalities/loss of consciousness
  • Lack of concentration and personality changes
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29
Q

Degenerative brain disease found in individuals with repetitive brain trauma.

A

Chronic Traumatic encephalopathy

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30
Q

In chronic traumatic encephalopathy, A protein called _____ forms clumps that spread throughout the brain, doing what?

A
  • Tau

* Killing brain cells

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31
Q

Early Signs of chronic traumatic encephalopathy? Late signs?

A
  • Early - Mood and behaviors changes (atrophy of the frontal lobe)
  • Late - Cognitive, dementia (atrophy of the temporal lobe)
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32
Q

How often do you wake a child with a closed head injury?

A

Every 2 hours.

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33
Q

What are 4 complications of TBI to monitor for?

A
  • Increased intracranial pressure
  • Decreased cerebral perfusion pressure
  • Cerebral edema and herniation
  • Posttraumatic seizures
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34
Q

How do you calculate MAP?

A

Double the dystolic pressure and add that number to systolic pressure. Divide total by 3 to get MAP.

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35
Q

Equation to calculate CPP?

A

CPP=MAP-ICP

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36
Q

Normal ICP range? Goal is to keep ICP below what in a pt with TBI?

A
  • 0-10 mmHG, with the upper limit being 15.

* Goal is to keep below 20

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37
Q

MAP must exceed___ in order for what to occur?

A
  • 65

* Cells to receive adequate o2/nutrients to metabolize energy in sufficient amounts.

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38
Q

Goal is to maintain CPP in what range with a TBI? What happens if it goes too low?

A
  • 70-100 mmHG
  • Maintain between 50-70, but generally above 60
  • CPP below 50 causes vasodilation and blood volume increase in brain, causing an increase in ICP. Cerebral perfusion is hindered causing hypoxia and ischemia, which leads to brain damage.
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39
Q

3 cardinal signs of brain death on clinical examination?

A
  • Coma
  • Absence of brain stem reflexes
  • Apnea
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40
Q

What occurs when CPP threshold is reached?

A

Vasoconstriction of blood vessels and ICP decrease

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41
Q

What should the patients temp be maintained at? How often is this checked? What is done if there is an increase? What should be used with caution and why?

A
  • promote normothermia or mild hypothermia (33-34 degrees C)
  • checked every 2 to 4 hours
  • If increases, figure out cause. Can be maintained with acetaminophen and cooling devices
  • Be cautious using Cooling devices, shivering may occur which can increase ICP.
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42
Q

List the GCS eye opening response scores from greatest to least.

A

4 - spontaneous
3- to speech
2 - to pain
1 - no response

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43
Q

List the GCS Verbal response from greatest to least.

A
5 - oriented to time, person, place
4 - confused
3 - inappropriate words
2 - incomprehensible sounds
1 - no response
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44
Q

List the GCS Motor response from greatest to least.

A
6 - obeys commands
5 - moves towards localized pain
4- flexion withdrawal from pain
3 - abnormal flexion/decorticate
2- abnormal extension/decerebrate
1- no response
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45
Q

What are some causes of fever in TBI?

A
  • Inflammatory respnse
  • Infection
  • Central Fever (hypothalamic damage)
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46
Q

Two types of herniation that can result from ICP with grave outcomes?

A
  • Central- downward herniation

* Uncal - downward herniation (compresses midbrain)

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47
Q

TBIS can often be associated with what type of injuries? What should be assessed as a result.

A
  • Cervical spine injuries (C1 and C2)

* Assess for indicators of this, such as changes in breathing pattern/need for intubation/mechanical ventilation

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48
Q

Early signs of increased ICP?

A

*Behavioral/mental changes - restless, irritable, disoriented

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49
Q

late signs of increased ICP?

A
  • Cushings *Cushings Triad
  • Severe H/A
  • Projectile vomitting/nausea
  • Seizures
  • Papilledema
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50
Q

______ and _____pupils are a poor prognostic sign of______.

A
  • Fixed/dilated

* Herniation

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51
Q

what is preferred for ICP monitoring? When is this used? What is a benefit of this?

A
  • Ventriculostomy catheter
  • Used in people with GCS < *
  • Allows drainage of CSF to decrease ICP
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52
Q

When using a ventriculostomy catheter what are 3 important things to remember?

A
  • Sterile technique is critical
  • Transducer must be level with patients ear
  • Keep ICP below 20mmHg
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53
Q

in a patient with increased ICP the PCO2 should be kept at _____ and the PO2 should be kept at _____ in order to prevent _____. This is done using ________.

A
  • 30-35 mmHG
  • 90- 100 mmHG
  • Vasodilation
  • Mechanical ventilation
54
Q

When should suctioning be done in ICP patient and why? What should be done prior?

A
  • Suction only when needed, to prevent excessive coughing (increases ICP).
  • Hyperoxygenate w/ 100% O2 prior to suctioning.
55
Q

What can be used to decrease cough reflex in ICP patient?

A

*Lidocaine or sedation

56
Q

What class of medication is mannitol? How does it assist with increased ICP? How is it administered? What lab should be monitored?

A
  • Osmotic Diuretic
  • Pulls water out of edematous tissue and back into circulation, decreasing ICP.
  • Administer with filtered needle
  • Keep serum osmolality between 310-320
57
Q

In addition to mannitol, what other medication may need to be used and why?

A
  • Furosemide (loop diuretic)

* prevents systemic fluid overload

58
Q

What are some sedatives used to help treat increased ICP and why? What is the downside?

A
  • Phenobarbitol/thipentone (barbiturates) are drug of choice. Opioids and propofol used as well.
  • Decreases metabolic demands of body and pain, resulting in decrease in cerebral blood flow and edema, and aggregation.
  • Can’t perform neuro assessments while on these medications.
59
Q

Positioning for Post op craniotomy? How often are clients turned? What medication is given to decrease post op edema?

A
  • Supratentorial craniotomy - HOB 30 degrees
    Infratentorial craniotomy - flat (Prevents brain from pressing down on excision site)
    *Turn every 2 hours
    *Dexamethasone
60
Q

ABNORMAL POSTURING - flexion of the upper extremities, internal rotation of the lower extremities, and plantar flexion of the feet

A

Decorticate

61
Q

ABNORMAL POSTURING - extension and outward rotation of upper extremities and plantar flexion of the feet.

A

Decerebrate (More serious and poorer prognosis)

62
Q

what happens if ICP is equal to MAP?

A

cerebral circulation ceases

63
Q

Risk factors for Spinal chord injury

A
  • Male
  • 15 to 35
  • Alcohol and drug use
64
Q

The initial mechanical disruption of axons as a result of stretch or laceration is referred to as?

A

Primary injury

65
Q

Signifies Loss of sensory and voluntary motor communication from the brain to the periphery, resulting in paraplegia or tertraplegia.

A

Complete spinal chord injury

66
Q

Signs of ability of spinal cord to relay messages to and from brain are not completely absent and sensory/motor fibers below injury are preserved.

A

incomplete spinal chord injury

67
Q

paralysis of lower body

A

paraplegia

68
Q

Paralysis of all four extremities

A

tetraplegia (incomplete tetraplegia is most frequent injury)

69
Q

An SCI injury that takes place at what level will require ventilator support. Why?

A

*C4 ( minimal) and above (full)
*Paralysis of the diaphragm
(acute respiratory failure is leading cause of death)

70
Q

What can cause cord compression in primary spinal cord injury?

A
  • Bone displacement
  • Interrupted Blood spply
  • Traction from pulling on cord
71
Q

What can cause tearing and transection of the spinal cord in a primary injury?

A

*Penetrating trauma (gunshot or stab wounds)

72
Q

Within 24 hours of SCI, permanent damage may occur because of ______?

A

Edema

73
Q

secondary injury progresses over time, the extent of the injury and prognosis for recovery are most accurately determined when?

A

At least 72 hours after injury

74
Q

Important signs of improvement following SCI include what? When does greatest improvement occur?

A
  • Muscular strength and pinprick sensation BELOW level of injury.
  • Greatest imporvement occurs 3 to 6 months following injury.
75
Q

what causes vasospasms and hypoxia with subsequent necrosis in secondary spinal injury?

A

High levels of vasoactive substances (noerepi, serotonin, dopaine) are released as a result of reduced oxygen levels from primary injury.

76
Q

Four types of incomplete injuries? Which is the most common?

A
  • Central cord syndrome (Most common)
  • Posterior/Anterior cord syndrome
  • Brown-Sequard syndrome
77
Q

At which of the spinal cord injury levels does the patient have full head and neck control?

A

C5

78
Q

Asymmetric injury with ipsilateral loss of motor function and sensation and contralateral loss of pain and temperature.

A

Brown-sequard syndrome

79
Q

An initial incomplete spinal cord injury often results in complete cord damage because of

A

infarction and necrosis of the cord caused by edema, hemorrhage, and metabolites

80
Q

Even if the injury is below C4, spinal cord edema and hemorrhage can affect the function of ______ nerve and cause ______,

A

Phrenic Nerve

Respiratory insufficiency

81
Q

In cervical and thoracic injuries, Paralysis of abdominal and intercostal muscles cause what? This increases risk for? What can the nurse do to prevent this?

A
  • Ineffective cough
  • Risk for aspiration, atelectasis, pmeumonia
  • Deep breathing, incentive spirometry, maintain airway
82
Q

Injury above T6 leads to dysfuntion of what system? What happens as a result? Symptoms? What is it important to identify?

A
  • Sympathetic nervous system
  • Neurogenic shock - Bradycardia, Vasodilation, Hypotenstion, Hypovolemia, Decreased CO
  • Causes of hypotension
83
Q

C3 and Above
Functional Ability: Inability to control ______
Self-care capability: Unable to ____. What is essential?

A
  • Muscles of breathing
  • Unable to care for self
  • Life sustaining ventilatory support is essential
84
Q

C4
Functional ability: Movement of ___ and ____ muscles. No function of what muscles?
Self- care capability: Unable to_____. able to do what with assistance of ___?

A
  • Movement of Trapezius and Sternocleidomastoid muscles
  • No function of upper extremity muscles
  • Unable to care for self
  • May self feed with powered devices
85
Q

C5
Functional ability: _____ movement. Possible partial strength of ____ and ____.
Self-care capability: Able to drive____. Feeding?

A
  • Neck movement
  • Shoulder and biceps
  • Drive electric wheelchair
  • Feed self with powered devices
86
Q

C6
Functional ability: Muscle function in ___. Partial strength in which muscles?
Self-Care ability: Can do what for self? May self propel a _____. Transferring?

A
  • Muscle function in C5 level.
  • Partial strength of pectoralis major.
  • Can care for self
  • Self propels lightweight wheelchair
  • Transfers self from chair to bed.
87
Q

C7
Functional ability: Muscle function in___. Lacking ____ muscle power.
Self-Care ability: Can dress ____. level of assistance needed? Transportation?

A
  • Muscle function in C6 level.
  • Lacking finger muscle power
  • Dresses lower extremities
  • minimal assistance needed
  • Can use wheelchair and car w/ hand controls
88
Q

C8
Functional ability: Muscle function in___.
Has_____Muscle power.
Self-Care ability: Can dress ____. level of assistance needed? Transportation?

A
  • Muscle function in C7 level.
  • Finger muscle power
  • Dresses lower extremities
  • minimal assistance needed
  • Can use wheelchair and car w/ hand controls
89
Q

T!-T4
Functional ability: Good _____ muscle strength
Self-Care ability:some independence from ____. requires ____ for standing exercises.

A
  • upper extremity
  • Wheelchair
  • Long leg braces
90
Q

T5-L2
Functional ability:_____ difficulties
Self-Care ability: Still requires___. Limited ambulation with ___ and ____

A
  • balance
  • Wheelchair
  • Long leg braces and crutches
91
Q

L3-L5
functional ability:______-_____ muscle function intact
Self-care ability: Uses ___ or ___ for ambulation.

A
  • Trunk-Pelvis

* Crutches or canes

92
Q

L5-S3
Functional ability: ____ gait
Self-care capability: Able to do what?

A
  • Waddling gait

* Ambulation

93
Q

describes any type of bladder dysfunction related to abnormal or absent bladder innervation

A

Neurogenic bladder

94
Q

Common problems with a neurogenic bladder include what?

A
  • urgency to void
  • Increased Voiding frequency
  • Incontinence
  • Inability to void
  • Urine reflux into kidneys from high bladder pressure.
95
Q

Decreased GI motor activity in client with SCI contributes to _____ and development of______.

A
  • gastric distention

* paralytic ileus

96
Q

Why are SCI clients more prone to stress ulcers?

A

*Excessive release of HCl acid in stomach

97
Q

Why are intra-abdominal bleeds more difficult to diagnose in clients with SCI? What are 3 signs and symptoms to look for?

A
  • May not experience pain/tenderness

* Continued hypotension, Decreased H&H, Epanding girth of abdomen

98
Q

______is the adjustment of the body temperature to the room temperature. Why does this happen? What type of injury is associated with this? What else contributes to this?

A
  • Poikilothermism
  • Interruption of sympathetic nervous system prevents temperature sensations from reaching hypothalamus.
  • High cervical injuries
  • decreased ability to sweat below injury
99
Q

What can Ng suctioning lead to? It is importan to monitor what?

A
  • metabolic alkalosis

* Monitor F&E - especially sodium and potassium

100
Q

SCI patients have a _____ in nutritional needs. What 3 things does adequate nutrition help with.

A
  • Increase

* Prevents skin breakdown, reduces infection, decreases muscle atrophy

101
Q

What is one of the leading causes of death in patients with SCI?

A

Pulmonary Embolism. (DVT prevention is crucial since this is difficult to detect in SCI client)

102
Q

Preferred diagnostic test for SCI?

A

CT scan

103
Q

Nonoperative treatments involve ______of the injured spinal segment and ______, either through _____ or ______.

A
  • Stabilization
  • Decompression
  • Traction (craniocervical)
  • realignment
104
Q

Immediate post SCI injury goals include what? 4 things

A
  • Patent airway
  • Adequate ventilation
  • Adequate circulating blood volume
  • Prevention of extended spinal cord damage (secondary injury)
105
Q

Surgery within______ is associated with improved neurologic outcome

A

First 24 hours

106
Q

involves attaching metal screws, plates, or other devices to the bones of the spine to help keep them aligned

A

Fusion

107
Q

How often is traction maintained? What needs to be done if displacement occurs? Which device has possibility of displacement?

A
  • maintained at all times
  • Hold head in neutral position and get help.
  • Gardner-wells/crutchfield tongs
108
Q

What is kinetic therapy? What does this help prevent?

A
  • continuous side to side rotation to 40 degrees or more using special bed.
  • Helps prevent pulmonary complications and pressure ulcers
109
Q

What is a profound effect of immobility in SCI patients? What can the nurse do?

A
  • Skin breakdown due to decreased sensation and circulation

* Meticulous skin care, remove backboard ASAP, assess areas under immobilization devices.

110
Q

When is the need for spinal surgery determined?

A

After the spine is reduced

111
Q

What may the patient wear after fusion or other stabilization surgery?

A
  • Cervical collar

* Sternal occipital mandibular immobilizer brace (SOMI BRACE)

112
Q

IV fluid management for SCI?

A

*Crystalloids
*Colloids
*Blood products
(combo of all)

113
Q

Disturbances that interrupt sympathetic nerve impulses result in vasodilation.. This is known as?

A

neurogenic shock

114
Q

5 Clinical manifistations of neurogenic shock?

A
  • vasodilation
  • bradycardia
  • Hypotension
  • dry skin
  • Temp instability (takes temp of room)
115
Q

What is the main focus of treament for neurogenic shock? What is used?

A
  • Maintaining blood pressure

* Vasopressors, Fluid, atropine

116
Q

Clinical manifistations of spinal shock?

A
  • Flaccid paralysis
  • Hypotension
  • Anhidrosis below lesion
  • urinary and fecal retention
  • Abscence of deep tendon reflexes
  • Impaired proprioception
  • Decreased visceral and somatic sensations
  • Paralytic illeus (muscles used for digestion stop working)
117
Q

_____, the return of reflexes, is a sign of resolving ______.

A
  • Spasticity

* spinal shock

118
Q

Pathophysiology of Autonomic dysreflexia?

A
  • Stimulus below level of injury (distended blowel or bladder, skin)
  • Mass sympathetic response causing vasoconstriction, leading to hypertension
  • Baroreceptors signal cranial nerves 9 and 10 (glasso and vagus), and vagus nerve slows heartrate.
119
Q

3 aspects of GRADE 1 (mild) concussion

A
  • Short period of confusion
  • No loss of consciousness
  • Mental status abnormalities resolve in less than 15 minutes
120
Q

3 Aspects of GRADE 2 (moderate) concussion

A
  • Short periods of confusion
  • No loss of consciousness
  • Concussive symptoms/mental status abnormalities last more than 15 minutes
121
Q

Aspect of GRADE 3 (severe) concussion

A

*Any loss of consciousness lasting from minutes to seconds.

122
Q

how can the nurse facilitate cough effectiveness in SCI?

A
  • chest physiotherapy and assisted coughing

* Deep breathing, Incentive spirometry

123
Q

When does AD occur?

A

*In clients with injury of T6 only after spinal shock has subsided

124
Q

5 clinical manifestations of Autonomic dysreflexia?

A
  • SEVERE headache
  • HYPERtension
  • Flushing/Sweating ABOVE injury site
  • Pallor BELOW injury site
  • Bradycardia
125
Q

Interventions for AD?

A
  • immediately Raise head of bed to 45-90 degrees (lowers BP)
  • Rapid assessment to identify cause/ check BP every 5 min
  • Check for bladder and bowel distention, and advise
  • Check for stimuli of skin such as tight clothing/pressure areas
  • If still isnt resolved, contact prescriber for antihypertensives (watch for rebound hypotenstion)
126
Q

Pharmacological intervention for pain in SCI?

A
  • NSAIDS
  • Anticonvulsants
  • Antidepressants
  • Opioids
  • Muscle relaxants
127
Q

Deep rapid breathing. Seen in what?

A

Hyperventilation - midbrain lesion

128
Q

Increasing/Decreasing depth, followed by periods of apnea. Seen in what?

A

Cheyne-Stokes - diffuse cerebral injury

129
Q

prolonged pause at end of inspiration. Seen in what?

A

Apneutistic - seen in lesion proximal to cranial nerve V in pons.

130
Q

Breathing in short bursts. Seen in what?

A

Cluster/Biots - seen in pontine (pons) lesion

131
Q

Irregular Breathing. Seen in what?

A

Ataxic - Seen in medula lesion

132
Q

Which type of hematoma has the higher mortality rate?

A

Subdural hematoma