Aphasia
impaired communication due to brain injury (usually left hemisphere)
earliest sign of neurological deterioration
modifiable risk factors are risk factors that can/ cannot be helped
can
conditions leading to cerebral injury
brain tumors, ischemia, aneurysm, increased intracranial pressure, hypoxia
damage to frontal lobe, difficulty speaking/ writing, comprehension generally intact
expressive (broaca's aphasia)
Bros cannot express themselves. They dont speak about their feelings
unequal pupils=
increased ICP (intracranial pressure)or cranial nerve 3 damage
nonmodifiable risk factors are risk factors that can/ cannot be helped
cannot
early identification and prevention strategies
manage HTN through diet, control blood glucose, anticoagulation therapy, smoking programs, fall prevention strategies, helmet use
damage to temporal lobe, impaired comprehension, fluent but meaningless speech
receptive (Wernicke's aphasia)
decorticate vs decerebrate
decorticate: flexion → hemispheric damage
decerebrate: extension → brainstem injury (more severe)
examples of modifiable risk factors
HTN, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, smoking, obesity, atrial fibrillation, head trauma
nursing monitoring and intervention
frequent neuro assessments, monitor for signs of increased ICP, seizure precautions, maintain airway and oxygenation
both expressive and receptive deficits, severe communication impairment
global aphasia
bradycardia, widened pulse pressure, irregular respirations indicate
increased intracranial pressure
examples of non-modifiable risk factors
age, family history, genetic disorders, gender, ethnicity
nursing strategies for dealing with those with aphasia
use simple sentences, ask yes/ no, allow extra time, maintain eye contact, use gestures, pictures, communication boards
name 2 other additional findings of CNS injury
Headache (worse in AM), Vomiting without nausea, Seizure activity, Speech or vision changes, Altered reflexes (Babinski sign, deep tendon reflexes)