Neurological Notes Complex and infinitely diverse, the nervous system is the body’s internal communication network. It coordinates all body functions…

Question Answered step-by-step Neurological NotesComplex and infinitely diverse, the nervous system is the body’s internal communication network. It coordinates all body functions and all adaptations to changes in the body’s internal and external environments. The nervous system is divided into the central nervous system (CNS), the peripheral nervous system (PNS), and the autonomic nervous system (ANS).CNS – includes the brain and the spinal cord, the two structures that collect and interpret voluntary and involuntary motor and sensory stimuli.PNS – includes the peripheral and cranial nerves. Peripheral sensory nerves transmit stimuli from sensory receptors in the skin, muscles, sensory organs, and viscera to the dorsal horn of the spinal cord.ANS – contains motor neurons that regulate visceral organs (the hollow organs within the abdominal cavity) and innervate (supply nerves to) smooth and cardiac muscles and the glands.Assessment – conducting an assessment for possible neurologic impairment includes a thorough health history and an investigation of physical signs of impairment.What do the letters GCS mean __________________________________________________What would you do, if you noticed your patient’s GCS changed. During morning rounds, your patient had a normal GCS, but 5 hours later, it was 9, what would you do? ________________________________________________________________________________________A patient who is alert, can follow simple commands, and is oriented to person, place, and time, would be given the score of _____________________.Define decerebrate posturing _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________When a patient presents with decerebrate posturing, which part of the brain has been damaged?__________________________________________________________________________Define decorticate posturing _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________What has occurred in the patient’s brain, to cause the patient to have decorticate posturing? __________________________________________________________________________ Neurological exam includes the following….LOC (GCS), PERRLA, Verbal responsiveness, Extremity strength and movement, Vital signs When baseline values are established, regular reevaluation of these indicators, called neuro checks, will reveal trends in the patient’s neurological function and help detect the transient changes that may signal pending problems. Completing a neurological examination is especially important for any patient who has had a head injury.Define aphasia ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Define expressive aphasia ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Define receptive aphasia ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Why would a doctor order a lumbar puncture? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ What is one important nursing intervention post lumbar puncture? ___________________________________________________________________________________________How often would you assess a patient’s sensation and movement to their lower extremities after a lumbar puncture? ________________________________________________________Why must a nurse wait for a patient’s creatinine level, before he/she sends the patient for a CT with contrast? ____________________________________________________________Why would a doctor prescribe dexamethasone for a patient who present with a headache and confusion, after a MRI indicates the patient has a brain tumor? ______________________________________________________________________________________________Why would dexamethasone reduce the swelling in the patient’s brain caused by the tumor?________________________________________________________________________Another name for dexamethasone is __________________________________________List nursing interventions for a patient after a myelogram ______________________________________________________________________________________________________List nursing interventions for a patient after an EEG __________________________________________________________________________________________________________What is increased intracranial pressure ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________What is the range value for a normal ICP ________________________________________While caring for a patient diagnosed with IICP, what is an important nursing consideration when planning cares for the patient? _________________________________________________What can cause IICP? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________What are the early signs of IICP ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Define Cushing’s Triad _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________What are the two classic late signs of IICP? _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________FYI : a change in vital signs, increase in blood pressure and a drop in heart rate will most likely indicate the presences of IICP.Define meningitis ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________What causes meningitis _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________What is a classic sign of meningitis ___________________________________________How would a nurse identify that his/her patient’s meningitis is improving? ____________________________________________________________________________________Why isn’t prescribing opioid analgesics a good idea for patients with meningitis? _____________________________________________________________________________What is a positive Kernig’s sign ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________What is a positive Brudzinski sign __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________General appearance of CSF ________________________________________________Define encephalitis ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Signs and symptoms of encephalitis ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________Traumatic brain injury occurs when _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________Causes of traumatic brain injuries ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Types of injury:Concussion ____________________________________________________________Contusion _____________________________________________________________Hematoma ____________________________________________________________Subdural hematoma ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Epidural hematoma ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Difference between epidural bleed and subdural bleed ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Battle sign ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Raccoon eyes _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Anisocoria ____________________________________________________________ Halo sign _____________________________________________________________If noted, notify either the RN or physician immediately.Mannitol, which is an osmotic diuretic, may be prescribed for a head injury patient with IICP. A nurse would know that the patient is responding correctly to the mannitol, by an increase in urinary output. Mannitol utilizes osmosis to pull fluid into the intravascular space and eliminate it via the renal system. Mannitol does not affect blood glucose.Brain herniation _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Diabetes insipidus ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________F _____________________________________________________________________A ____________________________________________________________________S ____________________________________________________________________T ____________________________________________________________________Ischemic stroke _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Thrombotic stroke _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Embolic stroke _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Hemorrhagic stroke _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Aneurysm _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Signs and symptoms _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________VP shunt ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Herniated disk __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Laminectomy ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Diskectomy ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Spinal fusion ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Spinal cord injury _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Important point to consider for caregivers of family members with a spinal cord injury ________________________________________________________________________Tetraplegia or quadriplegia __________________________________________________Paraplegia _______________________________________________________________Spinal injury C3 or above ___________________________________________________C1-C4 ___________________________________________________________________C5-C8 ___________________________________________________________________T1-T5 ___________________________________________________________________L1-L5____________________________________________________________________S1-S5____________________________________________________________________Spinal shock ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Complications of spinal cord injury ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Autonomic dysreflexia _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Important point: throbbing headache, nausea, flushed face _________________________And finally….remember, that steroids are given to decrease inflammation of the spinal cord to prevent further damage due to pressure caused by swelling.  Health Science Science Nursing NURS MISC Share QuestionEmailCopy link Comments (0)