Final Exam Flashcards
meningitis
infection of the meninges contacted through blood stream; crosses through blood stream
manifestations of meningitis
nuchal rigidity, positive kernigs signs, brodzinskis sign
diagnosing meningitis
CT scan/MRI, lumbar puncture for bacterial culture and gram staining of CSF
CSF aspiration during meningitis
cloudy, low glucose, high protein, high WBC
preventative treatment of meningitis
meningococcal vaccine during high school and college, prophylaxis treatment when in contact with rifampin or ciprofloxacin w/in 24 hours
management of meningitis
antibiotics like vancomycin and cephalosporin, steroids, fluids, seizure precautions with phenytoin
nursing management of meningitis
neuro checks, VS, IOs, labs, daily weights, electrolytes, infection prevention, seizure precautions, pressure ulcer precautions, pneumonia, pt/family education
brain abscess
collection of infectious material within brain tissue; want to prevent otitis media and rhinosinusitis from progressing
findings of brain abscess
headache that is worse in the morning, fever, vomiting, signs of increased ICP
diagnosing brain abscess
MRI and CT scan
nursing management of brain abscess
neuro assessment, meds like antibiotics and steroids, supportive care
3 types of traumatic brain injry
concussion- mild; contusion- moderate to severe; diffuse axonal injury- severe
concussion
mild TBI; sudden trauma induced alteration at alert state; may or may not lose consciousness; small fx, bleed, or swelling may or may not occur
contusion
moderate to severe TBI; bruising of the brain; LOC with stupor and confusion; injury may be present at site of injury or at opposite side; damage to cortex; larger contusions may need to be surgically removed
diffuse axonal injury
severe TBI; deceleration injury with differential movement of brain and skull causing axonal shearing; high mortality rate; immediate onset with no lucid interval; posturing
decorticate posturing
damage to corticospinal tract (cortex lesion); interrupts pathway between brain and spinal cord; rigid extended legs, pointed and turned in toes, arms bent toward center of body, curled wrists and balled hands against chest
decerebrate posturing
severe injury to the brain at the level of brain stem; poor prognosis; rigid extended legs, pointed and turned in toes, flexed wrists, curled fingers, straight tense arms parallel to body
brain death
absence of brainstem reflexes and apnea; irreversible condition; coma is different due to distinguishable presence of brain stem response such as spontaneous breathing and reflexes
spinal shock
occurs immediately after injury (24hrs-6 weeks following); complete but temporary loss of motor function, sensation, and autonomic activity; brain unable to transmit signals to muscle and organs
treatment of spinal shock
spinal stabilization, maintain ABCs, PT, OT
clinical manifestations of spinal shock
flaccid paralysis, clonus is fist sign, no DTR, low visceral and somatic sensations, anhidrosis, paralytic ileus
cushings triad
HTN/widened pulse pressures, bradycardia, irregular breathing pattern; sign of brain injury
neurogenic shock
acute injury to brain, cervical, or thoracic spine; causes distributive shock d/t loss of autonomic nervous system and control of blood vessel
patho of neurogenic shock
loss of SNS tone, massive vasodilation and venous pooling, hypotension, low perfusion, cell death; occurs 30 minutes up to 6 weeks after injury