Test #1 Flashcards
what are the 4 lobes responsible for
Frontal: emotions, speech, judgment, problem solving, voluntary movement
Occipital: visual information- how we process color and shape,
parietal lobe: sensory perception, spatial orientation
temporal: visual and verbal memory, allows interpretation emotions and reactions, memory
what is the cerebellum responsible for
balance coordination
what is the brainstem responsible for
breathing, heart rate, consciousness
what is the purpose of a neurologic assessment
to check for changes in LOC
- confused?
- lethargic/drowsy?
- obtunded?
- stupor?
- deep coma?
what is avpu
pt is awake
pt responses to Verbal
pt responses to Painful
pt is Unresponsive
what do you do when you have a confused or combative pt
Look for the source that is causing the confusion or combativeness
if a patient comes in and has paralysis of a limb, irritable, has a hard time getting words out and has difficulty problem solving what area of the brain is most likely effected?
the frontal lobe
the frontal lobe is responsible for personality, emotions, intelligence
concentration, judgment
body movements and speech (speak and write)
if a patient is experiencing aphasia, unable to recognize faces or objects, increased aggressive behavior and problems with short and long term memory, what area of the brain is most likely effected
the temporal lobe
the temporal lobe is responsible for speech (understanding language), memory, hearing, sequencing and organization
If a patient has problems distinguishing left from right, problems with hand eye coordination, what part of the brain is most likely effected
the parietal lobe
the parietal lobe is responsible for sense of touch, pain and temp
distinguishing size, shape and color
spatial perception and visual perception
if a patient is experiencing vision defects or blind spots, illusions/hallucinations, what area of the brain is most likely effected
the occipital lobe
the occipital lobe is responsible for vision
If a patient has a difficult time swallowing, vertigo, and changes in breathing what part of the brain is most likely effected
the brain stem
the brain stem is responsible for breathing, heart rate, alertness and consciousness
if a patient comes in that is experiencing loss of balance, vertigo, slurred speech, what part of the brain is most likely effected
the cerebellum
the cerebellum is responsible for balance and coordination
what are three main things we look at for a neurologic assemssment
vital signs
current health
past hx and meds (that could be causing the altered LOC)
how do we assess cerebral function
- A&O x4
- memory
- intellectual performance
- judgment and insight (logical thinking)
- language and communication (is language appropriate)
- Mood and Affect- angry tearful etc.
- cranial nerves
how do you test memory
Short term
- give them 3 random words, and see if they remember
- year, date, season, where they are
Long term-
ask them if they have kids, if they are married, etc.
what are the cranial nerves I-III
CN I = olfactory
C II = optic - visual fields
CN III = oculomotor- reflex to light, eyelid control
where are the cranial nerves
CN I and II are in the cerebrum and III-XII are in the brainstem
what is ptosis
drooping of the eyelid- CN III issue.
could be the pts baseline- need to know
what do CN IV V and VI do
IV - trochlear, VI - abducens = help move the eye
CN V - trigeminal - sensory and motor- puffing of cheeks, light touching of the face to see if pt can feel it.
CN VII VIII
cranial nerve VII is facial expression.
raise eyebrows, grimace etc.
cranial nerve VIII is vestibularchochlear = hearing.
cranial nerve IX and X
IX = glossopharyngeal, - gag and swallow X = vagus - gag and cough
cranial nerve XI
spinal accessory
-shoulder shrug
if pt can do that- the diaphragm is in tact
cranial nerve XII
hypoglossal
- asking pt to portrude tongue
how to assess cerebellum
if they are up out of bed they can do the romberg tests
-rub heel from opposite ankle all the way up and back down- if they can do this their coordination is in tact
- for upper extremity coordination
- rapid movement- flipping hands over and back again,
fine motor test- finger to nose to examiners finger
finger coordination - bring fingers to thumb
How do you assess sensory perception
Tactile-rub on their foot
Pain vibration
Stereogenosis-identify object in their hand
Two point discrimination-know which way pattern is
Grapheshesia-know the pattern
Why would someone be experiencing cheyne stokes
The brain is putting pressure on the brain stem
If a pt is breathing this way it is a sign the patient is going to go into a coma
What is cheyne stokes respirations
Rapid breathing increasing o2 followed by a period of apnea and decrease in O2
1 Lumbar puncture 2 Myelogram 3 Cerebral angiogram 4 Evoked potential 5 Trans cranial Doppler 6 Ct scan 7 MRI 8 EEG
What do these look for
1-looking for infection, dx for SAH or epidural bleed
2-looking for tumors or damage in the spinal column
3-looking at the vasculature and blood flow
4-to see if the nerves are receiving the messages
5-measuring the velocity of blood flow within the brain
6-fluid and air appear dark/black
7-greater detail than CT
8-elvaluates the brains electrical response to lights and loud noises
as the nurse, what do you need to do to prep the patient for a lumbar puncture
- make sure they sign the consent
- pt needs to have empty bladder
- lie in a side lying position with knees flexed or when in radiology, on their back
why would you need to do a stat finger stick with a LP
to compare the glucose in the blood to the glucose in the CSF
What are the pre and post nursing implications for cerebral angiogram
Pre- Make sure consent is signed. Verify allergies Make sure they void NPO except clear liquids are ok and IV hydration is ok
Post-
Check for neuro deficits
Check/change pressure drsng/place ice
Monitor distal pulses ( there is a risk they can end up with a hematoma in the ground restricting blood flow to the LE)
What can a TCD detect
Subarachnoid hemorrhage and aneurysm because it shows the velocity of blood flow through the vessels and identifies vasospams
What type of test is done with any spinal surgery
An evoked potential
- to check the nerve pathways to make sure they are in tact
Why would you do an eeg on a pt
To identify the electrical activity in the brain / can detect seizure pattern
What are nursing implications for a pt with an eeg
Do not stimulate the pt. Limit care as best you can
Keep the patient calm
If the pt is having seizures, you want to identify the pattern of them so you need to clarify with the doctor is you are to give or hold the anticonvulsant meds
What are nursing implicTions for a pt that is going for an MRI
make sure the pt does not have any metal on or In them. I.e. Jewelry, pacemakers etc
If they have any tattoos. Older tattoos have metal in the ink (red ink)
Give the pt earplugs. Mri is loud
Ativan for sedation if they are Clausterphobic
Make sure pt has a patent saline lock for the contrast
What would mid point(progressive dilation) of the pupils indicate
Increasing intracranial pressure possibly indicating cerebral edema
If one pupil is dilate what does that indicate?
What about both pupils?
One pupil dilated indicates a hematoma or CN III damage
If both of them are it indicates a large hematoma or gerniation of the brain