Common Care Problems
What is a primary concern for a patient experiencing aphasia?
Impaired communication
What imaging technique provides detailed views of brain structures?
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
What is the most common type of stroke?
Ischemic stroke, which occurs due to a blood clot or other obstruction blocking blood flow to the brain.
What is the purpose of thrombolytic therapy in ischemic stroke?
To dissolve blood clots and restore blood flow to the brain, but it must be administered within 3-4.5 hours of symptom onset.
What is the difference between focal and generalized seizures?
Focal seizures originate in one area of the brain, while generalized seizures involve the entire brain.
What is the main goal in caring for a patient with seizures?
Prevent injury and maintain a safe environment by removing nearby hazards, padding the bedrails, and ensuring the patient’s airway is clear without forcibly restraining them.
What test measures electrical activity in the brain?
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
What is the primary cause of encephalitis?
Answer: Viral infections, such as herpes simplex virus (HSV).
What is the preferred treatment for an ischemic stroke?
Thrombolytic therapy (tPA), which dissolves blood clots and restores blood flow if administered within the therapeutic window
What is the postictal phase of a seizure?
The recovery period after a seizure, during which the patient may experience confusion, fatigue, and altered responsiveness.
What nursing intervention is used to prevent aspiration in a patient with dysphagia?
Elevate the head of the bed to 30-45 degrees, ensuring the patient is in a semi-upright position to reduce the risk of food or liquid entering the lungs.
Which diagnostic procedure involves obtaining cerebrospinal fluid?
Lumbar puncture
What type of headache is associated with an aura?
Migraine headache, which is often preceded by visual or sensory disturbances, such as flashing lights or tingling sensations.
What medication is commonly prescribed to reduce seizure frequency in epilepsy?
Phenytoin or other antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), depending on the type of seizures.
What safety measures should be implemented for a patient with a seizure disorder?
Padding bedrails, keeping the bed in a low position, having suction equipment available, and ensuring a safe environment.
What is the Glasgow Coma Scale used for?
Assessing level of consciousness by evaluating eye opening, verbal response, and motor response on a scale from 3 to 15.
What is the purpose of performing a rapid neurological assessment?
To quickly evaluate a patient’s level of consciousness, pupil response, and motor strength in emergency situations.
What is the primary cause of meningitis?
Infection, either bacterial or viral, leading to inflammation of the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
What is the gold standard diagnostic test for meningitis?
Lumbar puncture to analyze cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for infection.
What are the phases of a generalized tonic-clonic seizure?
The tonic phase (stiffening of muscles), clonic phase (rhythmic jerking), and postictal phase (recovery period with confusion and fatigue).
What is a nursing intervention to manage sensory deficits in patients with brain injuries?
Minimize environmental stimuli by reducing noise and dimming lights to prevent overstimulation.
What is Brudzinski’s sign?
A clinical test where flexing the neck causes involuntary flexion of the hips and knees, indicating meningitis.
What are the hallmark signs of meningitis?
Fever, headache, nuchal rigidity, and altered mental status.
What is the goal of rehabilitation after a stroke?
To maximize recovery of motor skills, speech, and independence through physical, occupational, and speech therapy.
What are the key differences between absence seizures and tonic-clonic seizures?
Answer: Absence seizures involve brief, sudden lapses in consciouness (staring spells), while tonic-clonic seizures involve muscle stiffening and rhythmic jerking