Cranial Nerves
This cranial nerve is responsible for the sense of smell.
What is the olfactory nerve (Cranial Nerve I)?
This type of injury occurs at the moment of trauma and includes damage from mechanical forces such as compression, contusion, or laceration of the spinal cord
What is a primary injury of spinal cord injury?
This rare disorder occurs when the body's immune system attacks the peripheral nerves, often following a respiratory or gastrointestinal infection
What is Guillain-Barré syndrome?
AVPU
What is the scale is used by healthcare professionals to measure and record a patient's level of consciousness, with four possible outcomes: Alert, Verbal, Pain, and Unresponsive?
This condition, characterized by stages of increasing pressure within the skull, can lead to symptoms such as headache, vomiting, and altered mental status.
What is increased intracranial pressure (ICP)?
Stage 1: Brain is in total compensation
Stage 2: Compliance decreases risk of increased ICP & secondary injury
Stage 3: Significant reduction in compliance. Any small volume increase = increase ICP. Loss of autoregulation; compensatory mechanisms fail. Symptoms develop (HA, change in LOC, change in pupil responsiveness)
This cranial nerve controls the muscles responsible for eye movement and pupil constriction.
What is the oculomotor nerve (Cranial Nerve III)?
This type of injury occurs after the initial trauma and includes processes like inflammation, ischemia, and cell death, which can exacerbate the damage to the spinal cord.
What is a secondary injury of spinal cord injury?
This condition often begins with tingling and weakness in the feet and legs, which can spread to the upper body and arms, potentially leading to paralysis.
What are the symptoms of Guillain-Barré syndrome?
These precautions involve immobilizing the cervical spine with a collar, keeping the head in a neutral position, and avoiding any movement that could exacerbate a potential spinal injury.
What are cervical spine (c-spine) precautions?
Normal ICP levels
What is 5-15mmHg?
Mild Elevation: 16-20 mmHg
Moderate Elevation: 21-30 mmHg
Severe Elevation: 31-40 mmHg
Very Severe Elevation: Above 40 mmHg
This cranial nerve is responsible for sensation in the face and motor functions such as biting and chewing.
What is the trigeminal nerve (Cranial Nerve V)?
This medical emergency involves compression of the nerve roots at the lower end of the spinal cord, leading to symptoms like severe back pain, saddle anesthesia, and loss of bowel or bladder control.
What is cauda equina syndrome?
Treatment options for GBS
What are intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy, plasmapheresis, and supportive care to manage symptoms and complications?
This seven-step assessment, abbreviated as ABCDEFG, is performed to quickly identify and treat life-threatening conditions in trauma patients.
What is the primary survey consisting of Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure, Family, and Get resuscitation adjuncts
Nursing interventions to reduce ICP
What are:
This cranial nerve is involved in facial expressions, taste sensations from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue, and the production of saliva and tears.
What is the facial nerve (Cranial Nerve VII)?
This life-threatening condition involves an overreaction of the autonomic nervous system, leading to a sudden and severe rise in blood pressure, often triggered by a spinal cord injury at or above the T6 level.
What is autonomic dysreflexia?
Diagnosis of GBS entails..
What is a combination of medical history, physical examination, nerve conduction studies, and a spinal tap (lumbar puncture)?
This comprehensive assessment follows the primary survey and includes a head-to-toe examination to identify any additional injuries or conditions.
What is the secondary survey?
This type of ocular injury, often caused by exposure to acids or alkalis, requires immediate irrigation and medical attention to prevent severe damage to the eye.
What is chemical eye trauma?
Chemical eye trauma can result from exposure to substances like acids (e.g., sulfuric acid) or alkalis (e.g., sodium hydroxide) and can cause significant damage to the cornea and conjunctiva
Immediate and thorough irrigation of the eye is crucial to minimize injury. Sometimes a Morgan lens is used if long duration of irrigation is needed or if medication needs to also be administered to the eye
This cranial nerve controls the muscles of the tongue, which are essential for speech and swallowing.
What is the hypoglossal nerve (Cranial Nerve XII)?
This rare neurological condition results from damage to one half of the spinal cord, causing muscle weakness or spastic paralysis on one side of the body (ipsilateral) and loss of sensation on the opposite side (contralateral).
What is Brown-Séquard syndrome?
This intervention is often required for patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome who develop severe respiratory muscle weakness, leading to respiratory failure.
What is mechanical ventilation?
This 1986 federal law requires hospitals to provide emergency medical screening and stabilization to patients, regardless of their ability to pay.
What is EMTALA (Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act)?
Nursing management for physical eye trauma
What are: stabilize foreign objects (do not remove), elevate HOB to reduce IOP, do not apply pressure to eye, tell patient to NOT blow their nose (increases IOP), cover injured eye with rigid shield?