Central and Peripheral Nervous System Disorders Flashcards
used to manage and treat epilepsy, generalized tonic-clonic seizures, complex partial seizures, and status epilepticus. Is an anticonvulsants drug
Phenytoin
Stops the production of certain natural substances that cause fever, pain, swelling, and blood clots. Salicylates drug
Aspirin
takes away headaches and eases other symptoms like feeling or being sick and sensitivity to light and sound. A selective serotonin receptor agonists, works by narrowing blood vessels in the head. Used for cluster and tension headaches
Sumatriptan
treats Parkinson’s disease by improving muscle control and reducing stiffness, this medicine allows more normal movements of the body as the disease symptoms are reduced. Works by blocking acetylcholine
Benztrophine
treats epilepsy, it slows the electrical signals down to stop seizures.
Levetiracetam
to treat relapsing form of MS, to include clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease, in adults.
Betaseron
water-soluble, an ionized compound that reversibly inhibits the enzymes acetylcholinesterase. To treat a muscle disease called myasthenia gravis. Also given after surgery to help reverse the effects of certain types of medications that have been used to relax the muscles.
Neostigmine
treats Parkinson’s disease
Levodopa-Carbidopa
: treats epilepsy by reducing the abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Can be used for nerve pain too.
Gabapentin
Checks level of consciousness. Highest they can get is at 15 and that is normal and less than 7 is abnormal gcs and indicates a comatose state.
Glasgow Coma Scale
-Patho: Dilation or constriction of cerebral blood vessels in response to changes in blood pressure, blood oxygen levels, and blood pH maintains constant and consistent tissue perfusion.
-Causes: Inoperable Brain tumors, Swelling or bleeding from head trauma, Infectious and inflammatory disorders of the brain (meningitis, encephalitis)
-Consequences: impaired cellular activity, temporary or permanent neurologic dysfunction, death
-S/S: Decreasing level of consciousness (LOC), Decreased Glasgow Coma scale, Stuporous, semicomatose, comatose; confusion, restlessness, periodic disorientation, Headache—more severe in the morning, just not going away, extreme vomiting
-Cushing triad: a pulse rate that increases initially but then decreases, systolic BP that rises with a widening pulse pressure, and a respiratory rate that is irregular
-Cheyne–Stokes respirations (look this up)
-Other: vomiting, papilledema, decorticate or decerebrate posturing (look these 2 up)
-Diagnostics: skull radiography, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), lumbar puncture, cerebral angiography
-Medical Management: Goals: maintain BP, prevent hypoxia, and ensure cerebral perfusion
-Isotonic normal saline, lactated Ringer, hypertonic (3%) saline solutions: avoid hypotonic solutions and solutions containing glucose because they increase ICP
-Supplemental oxygen: keep SaO2 at 95%, Maintain head in midline at 30° of elevation, Avoid hypothermia.
-Control seizures; administer diazepam (Valium), Sedate agitated clients: midazolam (Versed) hyperactivity contributes to transient rises in ICP
-Indwelling catheter, nasogastric tube, stool softener, histamine antagonist; famotidine (Pepcid; PPI)
Increased Intracranial Pressure
Which of the following nursing interventions will help prevent further increase in ICP?
Elevate the head of the bed.
Rare and hard to diagnose. Person has been sick in the last few weeks
Guillain-Barre Syndrome
-Patho: antibodies attack the Schwann cells that make up the insulating myelin sheath; the affected nerves become inflamed and edematous
-Causes: unknown, autoimmune reaction, influenza, lupus erythematosus
-S/S: weakness, numbness, tingling in the arms and legs, progressive weakness, paralysis
-Other: difficulty chewing, talking, and swallowing
-Paralysis ascends→ may need intubation and suction
-Diagnostics: Lumbar puncture, electrophysiologic testings (assess heart’s electrical system)
-Medical Management: Plasmapheresis (remove plasma & reinfuse cells from blood), immune globulin (Gamimune N)
-Nursing Management: Assess signs of respiratory distress, spirometer, skin care, change position every 2 hours, ROM exercises to prevent muscle atrophy
Guillain-Barre Syndrome
-Patho: infection in nearby structures such as the middle ear, sinuses, or teeth
-Causes: intracranial surgery or head trauma; bacterial endocarditis, bacteremia, pulmonary or abdominal infections
-S/S: increased ICP, fever, headache, paralysis, seizures, muscle weakness, lethargy
-Diagnostic Findings: Laboratory tests: WBC count, lumbar puncture, CT scan, MRI, skull radiographs
-Medical Management: Antimicrobial therapy, control of fever, mechanical ventilation, IV fluids, nutritional support
-Surgical Management: craniotomy
-Nursing Management See Nursing Care Plan 37-1: Assessment for altered LOC; Assess changes in sensory and motor functions; Signs of increased ICP; monitor vital signs; I&O
Brain Abscess