NEURO PP 1 | GUARANTEED SUCCESS STARTS HERE!
LEARN, PRACTICE & EXCEL!
Gerontologic Considerations Answer: brain size
neurons transmit slower
temp regulation is altered
taste is altered
autonomic nervous system slows
delirium sets in
cardiac and respiratory co-morbidities
Skeletal muscle atrophy.
gait difficulty
balance problems
vision
hearing
smell
tactile sensation
taste
pain perception
Diagnostic test: Describe CT scan & what it detects (6) Answer: Contrast may be used
Detects tumor, masses, infarction, hemorrhage (Bleeding)**, shifts
Diagnostic test: Describe MRI Answer: Contrast or not
Detects infarction, MS, tumors (progression)
Better for checking tumors
Diagnostic test: Single photon emission CT (SPECT) Answer: Uses radionucleotide to
evaluate bloodflow
stroke, seizures, tumors
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1
,Diagnostic test: Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Answer: Images of actual organ
functioning , blood flow, lesions, oxygen metabolism
Uses radioactive substance
May have to limit food before (look in book)
Diagnostic test: Cerebral angiography Answer: Contrast used to look at cerebral
circulation.
Catheter through artery (usually through femoral or brachial to the brain)
Diagnostic test: Myelograpy Answer: Contrast...visualize the spinal cord, disks
Nursing (like lumbar puncture)
Diagnostic test: Transcranial doppler Answer: Non-invasive**
Blood flow velocities in the brain
Measured through the occipital or temporal bones
Like an MRI it is low risk
Diagnostic test: Carotid flow studies Answer: flow velocities
Detects stenosis, plaque, occlusions
-If patient has stenosis or plaque, theyre at risk for stroke
Diagnostic test: EEG Answer: Electrical activity in the brain
Seizures, coma, brain death
One of several measures to look at brain death
-Nursing consideratios: if getting seizure scan, don't want to take anti-seisure meds
--Look in book for other considerations
Diagnostic test: Electromyography (EMG) Answer: Needles in muscles to detect electrical
potential changes in the muscle
neuromuscular disorders and myopathies
Diagnostic test: Lumbar puncture Answer: withdrawal of CSF
examine for blood, infection, protein, glucose, measure pressure
can give meds
herniation risk
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2
, Lumber Puncture complications Answer: Post-lumbar puncture headache**
-keep patient hydrated
-flat overnight
Backache, spasms of back muscles, stiff neck
Describe Altered level of consciousness Answer: continuum between one who is oriented,
follows commands, and has a constant state of alertness to one who is in a coma.
Is a symptom of something else
Describe coma Answer: state of unresponsiveness in which there are no purposeful
responses to painful stimuli. Brain stem reflexes may be present.
Describe: Persistent vegetative state Answer: still unresponsive but has a sleep-wake
cycle
Altered level of consciousness clinical manifestations. (5) Answer: restlessness
anxiety
(-) PERRLA
decreased Glasgow
progress along a continuum until no response.
Altered level of consciousness assessments Answer: Neurological assessment
Glasgow coma scale
Altered level of consciousness tests (5) Answer: CT
MRI
EEG
PET
SPECT
Altered level of consciousness lab tests (8) Answer: blood glucose,
ammonia levels,
WBC,
potassium,
magnesium,
APPHIA – Crafted with Care and Precision for Academic Excellence.
3
LEARN, PRACTICE & EXCEL!
Gerontologic Considerations Answer: brain size
neurons transmit slower
temp regulation is altered
taste is altered
autonomic nervous system slows
delirium sets in
cardiac and respiratory co-morbidities
Skeletal muscle atrophy.
gait difficulty
balance problems
vision
hearing
smell
tactile sensation
taste
pain perception
Diagnostic test: Describe CT scan & what it detects (6) Answer: Contrast may be used
Detects tumor, masses, infarction, hemorrhage (Bleeding)**, shifts
Diagnostic test: Describe MRI Answer: Contrast or not
Detects infarction, MS, tumors (progression)
Better for checking tumors
Diagnostic test: Single photon emission CT (SPECT) Answer: Uses radionucleotide to
evaluate bloodflow
stroke, seizures, tumors
APPHIA – Crafted with Care and Precision for Academic Excellence.
1
,Diagnostic test: Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Answer: Images of actual organ
functioning , blood flow, lesions, oxygen metabolism
Uses radioactive substance
May have to limit food before (look in book)
Diagnostic test: Cerebral angiography Answer: Contrast used to look at cerebral
circulation.
Catheter through artery (usually through femoral or brachial to the brain)
Diagnostic test: Myelograpy Answer: Contrast...visualize the spinal cord, disks
Nursing (like lumbar puncture)
Diagnostic test: Transcranial doppler Answer: Non-invasive**
Blood flow velocities in the brain
Measured through the occipital or temporal bones
Like an MRI it is low risk
Diagnostic test: Carotid flow studies Answer: flow velocities
Detects stenosis, plaque, occlusions
-If patient has stenosis or plaque, theyre at risk for stroke
Diagnostic test: EEG Answer: Electrical activity in the brain
Seizures, coma, brain death
One of several measures to look at brain death
-Nursing consideratios: if getting seizure scan, don't want to take anti-seisure meds
--Look in book for other considerations
Diagnostic test: Electromyography (EMG) Answer: Needles in muscles to detect electrical
potential changes in the muscle
neuromuscular disorders and myopathies
Diagnostic test: Lumbar puncture Answer: withdrawal of CSF
examine for blood, infection, protein, glucose, measure pressure
can give meds
herniation risk
APPHIA – Crafted with Care and Precision for Academic Excellence.
2
, Lumber Puncture complications Answer: Post-lumbar puncture headache**
-keep patient hydrated
-flat overnight
Backache, spasms of back muscles, stiff neck
Describe Altered level of consciousness Answer: continuum between one who is oriented,
follows commands, and has a constant state of alertness to one who is in a coma.
Is a symptom of something else
Describe coma Answer: state of unresponsiveness in which there are no purposeful
responses to painful stimuli. Brain stem reflexes may be present.
Describe: Persistent vegetative state Answer: still unresponsive but has a sleep-wake
cycle
Altered level of consciousness clinical manifestations. (5) Answer: restlessness
anxiety
(-) PERRLA
decreased Glasgow
progress along a continuum until no response.
Altered level of consciousness assessments Answer: Neurological assessment
Glasgow coma scale
Altered level of consciousness tests (5) Answer: CT
MRI
EEG
PET
SPECT
Altered level of consciousness lab tests (8) Answer: blood glucose,
ammonia levels,
WBC,
potassium,
magnesium,
APPHIA – Crafted with Care and Precision for Academic Excellence.
3
