Cognition
With Parkinson's disease, what do we need to teach the family to help prevent falls?
What is adequate lighting, keep areas free from clutter, eliminate throw rugs, and install handrails.
What is the most common cause of head injuries in older adults?
What are falls
What is the most common cause of spinal cord injuries in adults over 65?
What are falls
Of the following, which causes unstable joints. Osteopenia, osteoporosis, or Osteoarthritis?
What is Osteoarthritis
If your patient has an open fracture, what are they most at risk for developing?
What is an infection
What is the anticipated outcome of a patient taking medications for Alzheimers disease?
What is to slow the disease progression
What can you do to keep a patient's ICP from rising?
What is to keep them normothermic, keep their blood pressure in a normal range, minimize stimulation, and keep their head of bed between 30-45 degrees.
What worsens Multiple Sclerosis and why?
What is sunbathing or running a fever. Hot and humid environments decrease the ability of demyelinated nerves to transmit nerve impulses.
What sort of monitoring and care would you anticipate when caring for a total knee replacement patient post op?
What is to monitor neurovascular status, color, sensation, motion, dressing for bleeding or drainage, drain care, support when repositioning, and use assistive devices as appropriate
What are some causes of poor circulation?
What are Diabetes, smoking, and atherosclerosis
What physiologic changes do you anticipate seeing in a patient with advanced stage of Dementia?
What is weight loss as they forget to eat, decreased mobility, decreased fluid intake, constipation, and an unkempt appearance due to poor hygiene
What would you look for in a worsening head injury in a patient?
What is pupillary dilation, persistent headache, difficulty waking up, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and even seizures
What signs/symptoms would you expect in a patient with degenerative disc disease?
What is foot drop, paresthesia, numbness, and tingling in the extremities
How do you treat a soft tissue injury?
What is RICE, rest, ice (20 minutes at a time), compression, and elevation
The patient had a recent femur fracture. They are now complaining of pleuritic chest pain, shortness of breath, tachycardia, and tachypnea. What is going on with your patient?
What is a pulmonary embolism or less likely a fat embolism
It is dinner time and your Alzheimer's patient is more restless that earlier and is becoming agitated. What is going on and how do we best deal with it?
What is sundowning. This patient needs decreased stimuli including noise and lights, establish a pleasant environment, and a regular routine.
What safety teaching would you give an epilepsy patient?
What is to avoid ladders, no swimming or tub baths alone, no power tools, no driving unless seizure free for 6-12 months based upon state law, and lay on the floor if you feel a seizure coming on.
What are ways we can prevent spinal cord injuries?
What are seatbelts, airbags, proper car seat use, helmets for bikes, motorcycles, skateboards, and sports, no diving into shallow water, and avoid trampolines.
After a fracture, pressure can build within the fascia compressing the nerves and vascular supply reducing perfusion distal to the injury
What is compartment syndrome
What education would you give a patient with lower back pain?
What is remaining mobile, start with gentle low impact exercises such as walking and swimming, and core strengthening that will help stabilize the spine and improve flexibility
What disease is caused by abnormal protein deposits in the brain that cause impaired communication along neurons?
What is Lewy Body Dementia
What are some suggestions to minimize migraine occurence?
What are dietary control, sleep hygiene, avoiding triggers, hydration, and stress management
What are the most common complications after a severe spinal cord injury?
What are skin breakdown, venous thromboembolism, atelectasis, pneumonia, heterotopic ossification, and autonomic dysreflexia
Mechanical causes of back pain may include....
What are compression fractures, nerve root pain, osteoarthritis, herniated disks, muscle or tendon strain, or spinal stenosis
What are some nonmechanical causes of back pain that may be life-threatening?
What are an abdominal aortic aneurysm, aortic dissection, angina, and meningitis