Neurological Disorders - CNS: Brain Flashcards
(44 cards)
Parkinson’s Disease - Pathophysiology
- Loss of dopamine stores
- Results in more excitatory neurotransmitters
- Imbalance affects voluntary movement
- Males greater than women
- 15% early onset genetic mutation
Parkinson’s Disease - CMs
-
4 Cardinal Signs
> tremor
> rigidity
> bradykinesia/akinesia
> postural instability - Types:
> tremor dominate
> non-tremor dominate; a kinetic-rigid & postural instability
Parkinson’s Disease - Stage 1
-
Initial Stage
> unilateral limb involvement
> minimal weakness
> hand & arm trembling
Parkinson’s Disease - Stage 2
-
Mild Stage
> bilateral limb involvement
> masklike face
> slow, shuffling gain
Parkinson’s Disease - Stage 3
-
Moderate Disease
> postural instability; not able to walk very well
> incr gait disturbances
Parkinson’s Disease - Stage 4
-
Severe Disability
> akinesia
> rigidity
Parkinson’s Disease - Stage 5
-
Complete ADL Dependence
> in later stages, psychiatric components come into play
> psychosis
> hallucinations
Parkinson’s Disease - Diagnostics
- Hx
- 4 cardinal signs (2 of 4)
- Diagnosis confirmed by a positive response to levodopa trial
- PET scan; rule out
- Single-photon emission CT; rule out
Parkinson’s Disease - Medical Management
-
Pharmacotherapy
> Levodopa; most effective; converts to dopamine; relieves manis -
Surgical Treatment
> deep brain stimulation (DBS)
> electrode implanted/blocks anticholinergic release
Parkinson’s Disease - Nursing Diagnosis
- Impaired physical mobility
- Self-care deficits
- Constipation; due to lack of mobility
- Impaired nutrition
- Risk for injury
- Impaired verbal communication
- Knowledge deficit; family & pt
Parkinson’s Disease - Nursing Interventions
- Improve mobility (w/in safety)
- Enhancing self care activities
- Improved bowel elimination; mobility & stool softeners
- Improved nutrition; aspiration risk
- Enhanced swallowing
- Assistive devices
- Family/pt education; PT/OT/Speech
Dementia - Pathophysiology
-
Cognitive, functional, & behavioral changes eventually destroy a person’s ability to function
> subtle in onset; progress slowly - Not a normal part of aging
- Non-Alzheimer dementias
> vascular dementia
Alzheimer’s
- Specific neuropathologic & biochemical changes tht interfere w/ neurotransmission
- Most common dementia
- Early onset (familial 40-65yrs)
- Late onset (>65yrs)
- Risk factors:
> age
> gender
> genetics
Dementia (Alzheimer’s) - CMs
stage 1
- Early (mild), Stage I
-
first symptoms up to 4yrs
> independent in ADLs
> denies presence of symptoms
> forgets names; misplaces household items
> has short-term memory loss & difficulty recalling new info
> shows subtle changes in personality & behavior
> loses initiative & is less engaged in social relationships
> has mild impaired cognition & problems w/ judgement
> Demonstrates dcrd performance; especially when stressed
> unable to travel alone to new destinations
> often has dcrd sense of smell
Dementia (Alzheimer’s) - CMs
stage 2
- Middle (moderate), Stage II
-
2-3yrs
> has impairment of all cognitive funcs
> demonstrates problems w/ handling or unable to handle money & finances
> is disoriented to time, place, & event
> is possibly depressed and/or agitated
> is incringly dependent in ADLs
> has speech & language deficits; less talkative, dcrd use of vocab, incringly nonfluent, & eventually aphasic
> incontinent
> psychotic behaviors; delusions, hallucinations, paranoia
> has episodes of wandering; trouble sleeping
Dementia (Alzheimer’s) - CMs
stage 3
- Late (severe)
-
Stage III
> completely incapacitated; bedridden
> totally dependent in ADLs
> has loss of mobility & verbal skills
> possibly has seizures & tremors
> has agnosia
Dementia (Alzheimer’s) - CMs
extra info
- Pts can show manis from any stage
- Pts can have issues from any stages at anytime
> mix & match
> slide btwn stages
Dementia (Alzheimer’s) - Diagnostics
- Hx
- Physical assessment/manis
- Psychosocial assessment
- Lab; rule out
- Radiological; rule out
Dementia (Alzheimer’s) - Medical Surgical Treatment
- Behavioral management structured envir’t
- Cognitive stimulation
- Memory training
- Validation therapy (orientation)
- Redirection
- Pharm therapies
> Donepezil (Aricept); improves symptoms
Dementia (Alzheimer’s) - Nursing Management
- Supporting cognitive func
- Promoting physical safety
- Promoting independence in self-care activities
- Reducing anxiety & agitation
- Improving communication
- Providing for socialization & intimacy needs
- Promoting adequate nutrition
- Promoting balanced activity & rest
- Home, community, & transitional care
Meningitis - Pathophysiology
- Inflammation of the meninges, which cover & protect the brain & spinal cord
- Infection through bloodstream or direct spread
> proliferates in CSF
> inflamm/incr ICP
Meningitis - Complications
- Hemorrhage/vascular necrosis (Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome)
- Circulatory collapse
- Septic shock
- Blindness/deafness
- Paralysis/seizures
- Hydrocephalus
Meningitis - CMs
- Severe headache
> incrd ICP - Neck immobility (nuchal rigidity)
- Photophobia
- Kernig sign: pushing knees past 135 degrees laying down
- Brudzinski sign: reflexive flexion of knees & hips following passive neck flexion
Meningitis - Diagnostics
- Identify causative agent
- Lumbar puncture
> CSF culture & sensitivity; viral, bacterial, fungal - Blood culture & sensitivity
- CT if altered LOC