PNH 301 – Key Points Week 3 Study Guide class notes
Intracranial Pressure and Cerebral Blood Flow
Intracranial Pressure
ICP is the pressure exerted by brain tissue, blood, and CSF within the skull.
Changes in one component can displace another without altering total volume.
Low compliance leads to greater pressure increases with small volume changes.
Cerebral Blood Flow
CBF is the blood volume passing through brain tissue in a minute.
Autoregulation helps maintain CBF despite arterial pressure fluctuations.
Decreased CPP leads to failed autoregulation, reduced CBF, and potential ischemia.
Increased Intracranial Pressure and Neuromonitoring
Increased ICP
Life-threatening situation from increased brain tissue, blood, or CSF.
Elevated ICP diminishes CPP, raising risks of ischemia and infarction.
Manifestations include changes in consciousness, vital signs, and motor function.
Neuromonitoring
ICP monitoring guides care for elevated ICP risks.
Ventriculostomy is the 'gold standard' for ICP monitoring.
Collaborative care aims to identify causes, support brain function, and manage ICP.
Nursing Management of Increased ICP and Head Injury
Nursing Management: Increased ICP
GCS assesses impaired consciousness; pupils are checked for size and reactivity.
Goals include airway maintenance, normal ICP, fluid balance, and preventing
complications.
Head Injury
, Includes trauma to scalp, skull, or brain; may lead to various complications.
Concussion, contusion, and lacerations are common head injury types.
Epidural, subdural, and intraparenchymal hematomas are serious complications.
Brain Tumours
Types and Classification
Tumours can be primary or secondary, arising from brain tissues or metastasizing.
Classification is based on the tissue of origin within the brain.
Classification and Common Types
Brain tumours can be primary or secondary, arising from brain tissues or metastasizing
from elsewhere in the body.
Meningiomas and gliomas are common types, with gliomas being frequently malignant.
Clinical manifestations vary, with headaches and seizures being common symptoms.
Diagnosis involves a comprehensive neurological examination and histological study of
tissue.
Treatment and Nursing Goals
Surgical removal is the preferred treatment, followed by radiation therapy.
Chemotherapy effectiveness is limited due to barriers and cell resistance.
Nursing goals include maintaining normal ICP, maximizing neurological function, and
managing pain and discomfort.
Behavioral instability requires close supervision and a calm approach to care.
Cranial Surgery
Surgical Options and Goals
Stereotactic surgery and radiosurgery offer precise targeting and destruction.
Craniotomy locations vary based on the pathological condition.
Goals include consciousness restoration, pain management, and neuromuscular function
maximization.
Postoperative Care
Intracranial Pressure and Cerebral Blood Flow
Intracranial Pressure
ICP is the pressure exerted by brain tissue, blood, and CSF within the skull.
Changes in one component can displace another without altering total volume.
Low compliance leads to greater pressure increases with small volume changes.
Cerebral Blood Flow
CBF is the blood volume passing through brain tissue in a minute.
Autoregulation helps maintain CBF despite arterial pressure fluctuations.
Decreased CPP leads to failed autoregulation, reduced CBF, and potential ischemia.
Increased Intracranial Pressure and Neuromonitoring
Increased ICP
Life-threatening situation from increased brain tissue, blood, or CSF.
Elevated ICP diminishes CPP, raising risks of ischemia and infarction.
Manifestations include changes in consciousness, vital signs, and motor function.
Neuromonitoring
ICP monitoring guides care for elevated ICP risks.
Ventriculostomy is the 'gold standard' for ICP monitoring.
Collaborative care aims to identify causes, support brain function, and manage ICP.
Nursing Management of Increased ICP and Head Injury
Nursing Management: Increased ICP
GCS assesses impaired consciousness; pupils are checked for size and reactivity.
Goals include airway maintenance, normal ICP, fluid balance, and preventing
complications.
Head Injury
, Includes trauma to scalp, skull, or brain; may lead to various complications.
Concussion, contusion, and lacerations are common head injury types.
Epidural, subdural, and intraparenchymal hematomas are serious complications.
Brain Tumours
Types and Classification
Tumours can be primary or secondary, arising from brain tissues or metastasizing.
Classification is based on the tissue of origin within the brain.
Classification and Common Types
Brain tumours can be primary or secondary, arising from brain tissues or metastasizing
from elsewhere in the body.
Meningiomas and gliomas are common types, with gliomas being frequently malignant.
Clinical manifestations vary, with headaches and seizures being common symptoms.
Diagnosis involves a comprehensive neurological examination and histological study of
tissue.
Treatment and Nursing Goals
Surgical removal is the preferred treatment, followed by radiation therapy.
Chemotherapy effectiveness is limited due to barriers and cell resistance.
Nursing goals include maintaining normal ICP, maximizing neurological function, and
managing pain and discomfort.
Behavioral instability requires close supervision and a calm approach to care.
Cranial Surgery
Surgical Options and Goals
Stereotactic surgery and radiosurgery offer precise targeting and destruction.
Craniotomy locations vary based on the pathological condition.
Goals include consciousness restoration, pain management, and neuromuscular function
maximization.
Postoperative Care
