Term
| Earliest Sign Of Neurological Change |
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Definition
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Term
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Definition
1. paroxysmal ("all of a sudden") electrical discharge in the cerebral cortex.
2. A sudden, intermittent alteration in consciousness of function resulting from excessive discharge of cerebral neurons. |
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Term
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Definition
Electrical disturbance is limited to a specific area of one cerebral hemisphere.
Partial seizures are subdivided into simple partial seizures and complex partial seizures. |
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Term
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Definition
| A warning (symptom) experienced before a seizure |
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Term
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Definition
| no loss of consciousness with motor, sensory (intact) |
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Term
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Definition
| Alteration in consciousness with motionless stare, oral-alimentary (lip-smacking, chewing) hand or gesture (picking at clothes) aggressive behavior, verbal outbreaks. |
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Term
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Definition
| staring spell (can have myoclonic jerking) |
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Term
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Definition
| single jerk of one orem ore muscle groups, no loss of consciousness, lasting second (can cause patient to fall) |
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Term
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Definition
| loss of muscle tone, "drop attacks" |
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Term
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Definition
| stiffening of muscle groups, abrupt and followed by rapid return to baseline |
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Term
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Definition
| jerking of muscle groups (rare) |
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Term
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Definition
| Most common, stiffening then jerking of muscles, unconscious, tongue-biting, bowel/bladder incontinence |
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Term
| What should a nurse observe and document during a seizure? |
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Definition
1. Type, if aura was present
2. Duration (start and stop time)
3. Characteristics
4. Postictal response (LOC)
5. VS |
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Term
Emergency Interventions
(pt. w/ seizure) |
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Definition
-notify MD immediatly
-stay with patient and remain calm
-turn head to the side (airway occlusion)
-make enviornment safe
-loosen tight clothing
-suction and O2 equipment ready
-provide privacy |
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Term
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Definition
-Prolonged seizures lasting for more than five min., a series of seizures occurring in rapid succession for 30 min or more.
-Can cause irreversible brain damage or even death due to hypoxia, cardiac dysrhythmias or lactic acidosis. |
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Term
Emergency Medications
(for pt. having a seizure) |
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Definition
-IV Ativan
-IV Valium
Give slow IV push, can be given rectally if not IV site |
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Term
| Preventative Seizure Medications |
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Definition
1. Phenytoin (Dilantin) most common
2. Carbamazapine
3. Depakote
4. Phenobarb "Downer" street name, very sedating and vitamin depleting |
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Term
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Definition
Stimulation device implanted in the left chest wall. An electrode is implanted in the left vagus nerve with a generator. Client can activate the electrode with a magnet. |
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Term
| Partial Corpus Callostomy |
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Definition
| Surgeon sections off the front of the corpus collosum, preventing neuronal discharges from passing through hemispheres. |
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Term
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Definition
A nervous system infection:
inflammation of pia matter, archnoid and CSF |
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Term
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Definition
| inflammation of the brain tissue |
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Term
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Treatment of Bacterial Meningitis
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Definition
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-Corticosteroid (dexamethasone) given 15 min before or at the same time as the first antibiotic dose.
-Several antibiotics (because doctors cannot identify the bacteria causing the infection based on symptoms alone, they usually choose several antibiotics that are effective against many organisms. Once the bacteria is identified, one type of antibiotic is used while the rest are discontinued)
-Antiviral drug that is effective against the herpes virus
-Fluid replacement
-Anticonvulsants
-Watch for septic shock and vascular problems
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Term
| Treatment of Viral Meningitis |
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Definition
-There is no treatment. The immune system will produce antibodies to destroy the virus.
-Acetaminophen for fevers
-Clear/Bland diet |
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Term
| Treatment of Encephalitis |
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Definition
-Rest
-Low lights, quiet, HOB 30 degrees
-analgesics
-Healthy diet with plenty of liquids
-Acetaminophen for headaches and fever
-herpes simplex virus and varicella-zoster virus, respond to antiviral drugs such as acyclovir (Zovirax) or ganciclovir (Cytovene)
-Corticosteroids to help reduce swelling and pressure in the skull
-Anticonvulsants to stop or prevent seizures
-If it is caused by arthropod-born (W. Nile) or fungi amphotericin B (very strong and should only be used for life threatening instances) and Fluconazole (Diflucan) can be prescribed (Antifungals). |
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Term
| Diagnostic Test for Meningitis and Encephalitis |
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Definition
Lumbar puncture to collect CSF
Meningitis: bacterial culture, LP showing polysaccharide antigen
Encephalitis: MRI, EEG, LP showing low glucose and high protein and DNA identification of virus.
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Term
| Non-Pharmacologic Interventions for Back Pain |
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Definition
-Firm mattress
-Comfortable Position (knees up while lying flat)
-Exercises |
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Term
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Definition
| Numbness/tingling, "falling asleep" |
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Term
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Definition
| spinal nerve being compressed |
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Term
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Definition
| electrical burning sensation (from one side of the butt down that leg) |
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Term
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Definition
| proper posture to prevent injury in the workplace |
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