Neurology and Renal Conditions Quiz

Study Notes

Ischemic Stroke: Risk factors, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and stroke care. Treatments include antiplatelets, Coumadin (with food teaching), Lovenox, heparin (with patient education), and side effects.
Nursing Care of Stroke: Includes general care.
Lumbar Puncture Care: Pre- and post-procedure care, monitoring for leakage and headache.
Guillain-Barré Syndrome: Immune system attacks PNS, monitoring for airway, breathing, paralysis, and peripheral/skeletal muscle numbness. Ascending paralysis.
Bacterial Meningitis: Diagnosis with lumbar puncture, treatment with antibiotics (even before results if viral suspected), and specific bacterial culture. Seizure precautions.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS): A chronic, progressive, and irreversible autoimmune disorder. Unknown etiology, damages brain and spinal cord (CNS). Symptoms include descending paralysis.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS): Also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Management focuses on respiratory status, pain management, and maintaining range of motion.
Parkinson's Disease: Levodopa/carbidopa treatment, slowing disease progression by increasing dopamine levels. Side effects include nightmares, visual hallucinations, and dyskinesia (movement disorders). Orthostatic hypotension is also a possible side effect.
Encephalitis: Nursing assessment includes monitoring ICP and neurological changes.
Acute Renal Failure: Causes (pre, intra, and post-renal) and stages (oliguria phase, diuresis phase). Monitoring of fluid and electrolyte levels is critical.
Chronic Renal Failure: Irreversible, slow onset. Decreased kidney function (diminished renal reserve). GFR values less than 90, 60, and 40 are indicators.

Cancer Screening: Colonoscopy, Pap smear, and mammogram for women. Biopsy for tumor diagnosis.
Chemotherapy and Radiation Side Effects: Fatigue, maintaining activity, rest and periods, excoriation.
Nursing Care of Cancer Patients: Small frequent meals, stool softeners, antiemetics, sun avoidance, and crowd avoidance to limit exposure.
HIV/AIDS: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) including side effects - ensuring patients do not miss doses; must start schedule immediately after missed dose. Infection is a critical concern with immunocompromised patients.
Infection Transmission (HIV): Blood and body fluids.

Heart Failure: Nursing interventions include monitoring input/output, elevating the head of the bed, oxygen saturation, and diuretics with monitoring of potassium and other electrolytes. Managing blood pressure and cardiac workload is also important. Digoxin may be used to reduce heart rate.

Diabetes Mellitus (DM): Treatments including rapid-acting (Lispro, Aspart), regular, and NPH insulin. Monitoring for hypoglycemia, and skin/foot care (complications of DM). Visual degeneration and eye checkups are necessary considerations.
Hypoglycemia Management: 15 grams of carbohydrates are suggested initially for low blood sugar followed by checking blood sugar again, then IV dextrose if hypoglycemia persists.