Provides radiographic visualization of the cerebral blood vessels - detects defects, narrowing, or obstruction of arteries or blood vessels in brain
Cerebral angiogram
Uses for cerebral angiogram
Assess blood flow to and within brain
Identify aneurysm
Define vascularity of tumors
Can be used therapeutically to treat blood clots or administer chemotherapy
provides cross-sectional images of cranial cavity
CT scan
Indications for CT scan
Identify tumors and infarctions
Detect abnormalities
Monitor response to treatment
Guide needles for biopsies
Prior to all procedures with radiation exposure, what should you do?
Assess for shellfish allergy
Assess for pregnancy
Assess kidney function
Assesses electrical activity of the brain and is used to determine if there are abnormalities in brain wave patterns
EEG
Indications for EEG
Identify and determine seizure activity
Detecting sleep disorders and behavioral changes
Indications for Glasgow Coma Scale
Determine changes in LOC in clients with head injuries, space occupying lesions or cerebral infarctions, and encephalitis
Glasgow coma scale score less than 8 associated with
Severe head injury and coma
Glasgow coma scale score of 9-12 indicates
Moderate head injury
Glawgow coma scale greater than 13 reflects
Minor head trauma
Best possible score for glasgow coma scale
15
Areas to assess for Glasgow Coma Scale
Eye opening, ranging from 4-1
Verbal, ranging from 5 -1
Motor, ranging from 6-1
Device inserted into cranial cavity that records pressure and is connected to a monitor that shows a picture of pressure waveforms
ICP monitoring
Indications for ICP monitoring
Early identification
Treatment of increased iCP
Candidates include clients who are comatose or have GCS scores of 8
Sx increased ICP
Severe headache Deteriorating LOC Restlessness Irritability Dilated or pinpoint pupils Slowness to react Alteration in breathing pattern Deterioration in motor function Abnormal posturing
Normal ICP level
10-15 mmHg
