The Basics
This procedure requires the patient to be positioned side lying and knee to chest
Lumbar puncture
Changes in level of consciousness after a head injury can indicate
Increased ICP
A patient is diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Due to the risk of fatigue, the nurse knows to include frequent periods of rest and to schedule difficult tasks during this time of day
Early in the day, before fatigue worsens
This is the temporary impairment of cerebral circulation that lasts less than 24 hours, and is the precursor to 15 % of strokes (cerebrovascular accident- CVA)
Transient Ischemic Attack
This complication that occurs in patients with injuries above the T6 level when a stimulus such as bladder distention, bowel impaction, or pressure injuries causes sudden high blood pressure.
Autonomic Dysreflexia
This type of aphasia effects the patient's ability to speak.
Expressive aphasia
The nurse would implement these precautions for a patient with a brain tumor
Seizure precautions
This disorder causes inflammation of the spinal and cranial nerves. It has a sudden onset of weakness/paralysis. While the etiology is unknown, it could be caused by a respiratory infection.
Guillain-Barre Syndrome
A nurse knows to implement interventions such as aspiration precautions and suctioning for a stroke patient due to
Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
This late sign of increased intracranial pressure includes bradycardia, increasing systolic blood pressure with widening pulse pressure, and irregular respirations.
Cushing triad
A patient with increased intracranial pressure is presenting with pronated forearms and hands flexed away from the body.
Decerebrate posturing
This type of bleeding is usually venous and may not lose consciousness at the time of injury. As the bleed increases in size, the patient may present with one-sided paralysis of extraocular movement, extremity weakness, or dilation of the pupil. LOC can further deteriorate as ICP increases.
Subdural hematoma
This disorder presents with intense pain on one side of the face and is triggered by touch, talking, or other stimulation.
Trigeminal Neuralgia
A CVA on this side of the brain could cause deficits such as impaired judgement, safety, and unilateral neglect.
Left-sided stroke
In the Glasgow Coma Scale, a score of less than 7 indicates the patient is
Comatose
This type of aphasia effects a patient's ability to understand language
Receptive aphasia
A patient presents with fever, nuchal rigidity, headache, and a petechial rash on the chest. The nurse would suspect
Meningitis
This disorder can be caused by folic acid deficiency during pregnancy, a genetic predisposition, or maternal diabetes, obesity, or anticonvulsant use. It can present with a visible sac on the back, weakness below the defect, and sensory impairment.
Spina Bifida
A CVA on this side of the brain is likely deficits such as aphasia and depression related to disability.
Right-sided stroke
Some patient with subarachnoid hemorrhage require placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt to treat this
Hydrocephalus
In the acronym B.E. F.A.S.T., the "A" stands for this
Arm weakness/numbness on one side
This type of bleeding is usually arterial and is often associated with a skull fracture. Symptoms include losing consciousness directly after injury, a brief lucid period, and then rapid loss of consciousness. Seizures or hemiparesis can occur.
Epidural hematoma
This progressive disorder causes the destruction of acetylcholine receptors, which is then unable to stimulate muscle contraction, resulting in the loss of voluntary muscle strength. Triggers to this disorder include pregnancy, surgery, and respiratory infections.
Myasthenia Gravis
A patient with arteriovenous malformation is at risk of this.
Aneurysm
Laminectomy