100% CORRECT ANSWERS
What are nursing interventions for increased ICP and head injury? - Answer-- maintain
oxygenation and perfusion of cerebral area
- prevent ischemia
- monitor neurological status (GCS scale)
What is bacterial meningitis, what causes it, and how does this occur? - Answer-A
medical emergency, inflammation of the meninges, caused by pathogens including
streptococcus pneumoniae, neisseria meningitidis, staphylococcus aureus. These
pathogens enter through the respiratory tract, blood stream, skull wounds, or fractured
sinuses.
Describe signs and symptoms of bacterial meningitis. - Answer-Fever, headache, stiff
neck, mental changes, increased ICP, nausea, vomiting, seizures, skin rash (if neisseria
meningitidis).
What are the complications of bacterial meningitis? - Answer-Acute cerebral oedema
causing seizures, bradycardia, coma, and death. If caused by neisseria meningitidis,
also may lead to shock, adrenal haemorrhage.
How would a nurse manage bacterial meningitis? - Answer-- antibiotic therapy
- monitor neurological status
- monitor seizure risk
- monitor vital signs
- hydration
- urinary output
- acute pain
- droplet precautions
What is viral meningitis, causes, and symptoms? - Answer-Viral infection of meninges,
not life threatening, caused by enterovirus, HIV, HSV, causing headache, fever, stiff
neck.
How would a nurse manage viral meningitis? - Answer-Would begin antibiotics due to
risk of bacterial meningitis, and then symptomatic management including pain
management.
What is viral encephalitis? - Answer-Acute inflammation of the brain tissue, with similar
symptoms to meningitis plus behavioural changes, hallucinations, seizures. Causes
include HSV, chickenpox, diseases from ticks and mosquitoes.
,How would a nurse manage viral encephalitis? - Answer-Administer medications
including antivirals, and anti-seizure medication.
What is a brain abscess? - Answer-Spread from nearby or remote infection, or from
head trauma or surgical procedure.
How would a nurse manage brain abscess? - Answer-Administer antibiotics, aspiration
and drainage.
How would a nurse manage brain tumours? - Answer-- ensure ICP within normal limits
- fluid intake and output, fluid balance chart
- maintain electrolyte balance
- control pain and discomfort
- ensure optimal nutritional status
- refer to psychotherapy if needed
What is involved in respiratory control? - Answer-- central chemoreceptors: mainly
sense changes in CO2 levels, and hence change ventilation rate to be varied
- peripheral chemoreceptors: respond to hypoxaemia
What is compliance in regard to lungs? - Answer-Measure of the ease of expansion of
the lungs (stiff vs expansive lungs). Compliance is affected by conditions including
pulmonary oedema, pneumonia, pulmonary fibrosis, and pleural effusion.
What are the two types of respiratory failure> - Answer-Type 1: failure of oxygenation
(pneumonia, oedema)
Type 2: failure of ventilation (asthma, COPD)
When is oxygen therapy indicated? - Answer-Hypoxaemia measured by SPO2.
Describe the potential harms of inappropriate oxygen therapy. - Answer-Potentially fatal
hypercapnia (increased risk in chronic obstructive lung disease, obesity, neuromuscular
diseases, respiratory muscle weakness, use of respiratory depressant drugs), and
hyperoxaemia which may cause inflammation, atelectasis, pulmonary toxicity.
What are the different delivery options for oxgen? - Answer-- nasal prongs
- high flow nasal prongs
- face mask
- venturi mask
- non-rebreather masks
- CPAP/BiPAP
- mechanical ventilation
- ECMO
, Describe some respiratory defence mechanisms. - Answer-Nasal hairs allow filtration,
ciliary move and catch particles, mucous allows removal, cough reflex.
What is the correct name for the common cold, what are some potential complications?
- Answer-Acute viral rhinitis, inflammation of the nasal mucosa in response to infection
of upper respiratory tract. Complications include laryngitis, tonsillitis, and secondary
infection.
How would a nurse manage the common cold? - Answer-Symptomatic relief, including
pain management and comfort. Antibiotics only if there is secondary infection.
What are the types, causes, symptoms, and complications of pneumonia? - Answer-
Pneumonia may be community acquired, hospital acquired, or ventilator associated. It
may be caused by micro aspiration, direct inhalation, macro aspiration. Symptoms
include fever, chills, dyspnoea, chest pain, green and yellow sputum. Complications
include pleural effusion, bacteraemia, sepsis, meningitis, pneumothorax.
How would a nurse manage pneumonia? - Answer-- antibiotics
- deep breathing and coughing
- oxygen therapy if hypoxemic
- pain management
- hydration
- nutritional support
What are nursing management strategies currently for COVID-19? - Answer-- antivirals
- symptomatic relief
- antibody therapy
- decrease inflammation
- oxygen therapy in severe disease
- refer to psychosocial help
- assist with proning
- reduce anxiety and misinformation
What is pulmonary oedema? - Answer-Medical emergency of abnormal accumulation of
fluid in the alveoli and spaces of the lungs, often a complication of left sided heart
failure, or pulmonary disease.
What are types of chest injury that may cause fractured ribs? - Answer-Blunt force or
penetrating injuries, requiring analgesics and anti-inflammatories. Fractured ribs cause
inappropriate chest movement, pneumothorax (air in pleural cavity leading to complete
or partial lung collapse), haemothorax, pleural effusion.
What is pulmonary embolism, symptoms, complications? - Answer-Pulmonary
embolism is characterised by blockage of pulmonary arteries, leading to dyspnoea,
tachypnoea, cough, chest pain. Complications include pulmonary infarction, pulmonary
hypertension.