week 6 diseases of the nervous system Flashcards
nervous system diseases (3)
- inflammatory/degenerative
- trauma
- postmortem conditions
inflammatory diseases of the nervous system (14)
- meningitis
- hydrocephalus
- encephalitis
- myelitis
- neuritis
- epilepsy
- rabies
- multiple sclerosis
- parkinsons diseases
- alzheimers disease
- CJD
- cerebral palsy
- transient ischemic attack
- cerebrovascular accident
infection of the cerebrospinal fluid by a virus or bacteria
meningitis
the buildup of fluid in the cavities (ventricles) deep within the brain.
- excess fluid increases the size of the ventricles and puts pressure on the brain
- normally flows through the ventricles and baths the brain and spinal column
hydrocephalus
viral inflammation of the Brain
-only occurs in rare cases such as herpes, simplex viruses like cold sores and genital herps (most common cause), varicella zoster virus (which causes chickenpox and shingles
encephalitis
inflammation of the spinal cord which can disrupt the normal responses from the brain to the rest of the body and from the rest of the body to the brain. inflammation in the spinal cord can cause the myelin and axon to be damaged resulting in symptoms such as paralysis and sensory loss
myelitis
inflammation of nerve or nerves
- sensory nerves affect sensation, temp, pain, vibration, or touch from skin
- motor nerves that control muscle movement
- autonomic nerves that control functions such as blood pressure, heart rate, digestion and bladder
neuritis
a chronic neurogenic disease marked by sudden alterations in consciousness and frequently by convulsions
2 sub categories partial and generalized
epilepsy
seizures that begin from a particular areas in the brain. consciousness is sometimes intact, sometimes reduced, and sometimes completely absent.
- most common form
- occurs in up to 2/3s of patients
partial (local or focal) seizures
both hemispheres are involved with brain (epilepsy)
- always a disturbance of consciousness
- approx. 6% of patients have this type
generalized seizures
viral infection of the nervous system that results encephalitis
rabies
inflammatory autoimmune disorder that degrades the myelin sheath of nerves
multiple sclerosis
chronic disease characterized by slowly spreading tremor, muscle weakness, and marked gait
- 4 symptoms considered cardinal;
- bradyinesia, tremor rigidity, and postural instability
parkinsons disease
progressive, irreversible decline in mental function, memory impairment, reasoning, judgement, abstract thought and comprehension
Alzheimers disease /dementia
rare, degenerative disorder that destroys brain cells and results in brain atrophy
- a rare brain disease that affects one person per million population each year, and occurs when a normal brain protein spontaneously changes into an infectious abnormal form called “prion” and accumulates in brain cells.
- people with the disease experience a rapid onset of dementia, and a range of neurological symptoms including walking difficulties, sudden jerky movements, and sometimes visual disturbances.
- patients usually die within one year following the onset of symptoms.
- autopsy is only way to confirm presence of disease
creutzfeldt-jakob disease
- not transmissible from person to person by normal contact or through environmental contamination.
- transmission can occur during invasive medical procedures involving the central nervous system due to exposure to contaminated brain tissue.
- can be inherited by mutation.
- average age of death is 68 in US.
creutzfeldt-jakob disease cont’d
procedures and routines embalming solutions are ineffective against “prions”; however, studies show that chemical solutions and physical processes involving bleach, sodium hydroxide, or autoclaving can inactivate the prion.
-if bodies of CJD patients haven’t been autopsied, then transportation, prep, disinfection, and final disposition can be safely performed when standard precautions are strictly enforced.
standard disinfection for CJD
funeral service workers can safely remove the body of a CJD patient room for mortuary procedures using appropriate standard infection control measures, which includes wearing personal protective gear.
- WHO recommends placing the body in a leak proof pouch prior to moving
- bag should be lined with absorbent material to prevent leakage of body fluids.
- with excess fluid, a double bag should be utilized.
- after use, all surfaces should be disinfected.
transportation of CJD
- an autopsied or traumatized body of a suspected or confirmed CJD patient can be embalmed using the precautions outlined in the WHO CJD infection control guidelines.
- CJD who haven’t been autopsied or not traumatized can be embalmed using standard precautions.
- family members should be advised to avoid superficial contact with a patient who has been autopsied.
- deceased who have not been autopsied , such contact need not be discouraged.
prep and dressing for CJD
- emblaming bodies that haven’t been autopsied can be performed using standard precautions.
- place body in waterproof bag/sheet to collect bodily fluids
- make sure to use disposable instruments
- incision sites be closed with super glue, wiped down with bleach and body washed
emblaming CJD deceased not autopsied
- special precautions for CJD deceased should be taken including placing a plastic sheet with absorbent wadding and raised edges underneath head to ensure containment of fluids and to prevent any spillage.
- cranial cavity should be packed with absorbent material and soaked in bleach and tightly sutured.
-CJD deceased who have been autopsied
- avoiding unnecessary manipulation of CJD deceased that would force purging and risk of opening of incision sites.
- casket should be lined with leak proof sheet
- viewing should not be prohibited
- if autopsy has been performed, should avoid superficial contact
viewing of CJD deceased
- according to WHO all collected fluids should be disinfected by adding 40 grams of sodium hydroxide pellets per liter of fluid. then left alone for an hour
- after hour, can be disposed like other biohazard waste.
- plastic sheets and other disposable items should be incinerated.
- work surfaces should be disinfected by flooding with undiluted bleach
terminal disinfection and waste removal of CJD deceased
- no special interment, entombment, inurnment or cremation requirements for patients with CJD.
- does not present risk of environment
final disposition of CJD deceased
