Osteoporosis Quiz

Osteoporosis

• Chronic condition that leads to bone deterioration and fractures
• Characterized by more osteoclasts than osteoblasts
• Risk factors include alcohol, Vitamin D deficiency, caffeine, and age (post-menopausal women)
• Diagnosis: bone mineral density test (T score)
  • -1 and above is normal
  • -1 to -2.5 indicates low bone density
  • -2.5 and below indicates osteoporosis
• Treatment: prevention, muscle strengthening, Calcium and Vitamin D supplements, bisphosphonates, and estrogen antagonists

Meningococcal Meningitis

• Inflammation of the meninges caused by bacteria N.meningitidis
• Inhaled through the respiratory tract
• Symptoms: fever, headache, altered mental status, nuchal rigidity, and petechial rash
• Diagnosis: CSF exam via lumbar puncture
• Treatment: broad-spectrum antibiotics for 14-21 days
• Droplet precautions necessary

Glasgow Coma Scale

• Used to assess the level of consciousness (LOC) in someone with a brain injury
• Assesses eye opening, verbal response, and motor movement
• Scale: severe (8 or less), moderate (9-12), and mild (13-15)
• Decrease in 2 or more points requires reassessment

Plasmapheresis

• Removal of plasma or substances from plasma
• Used to treat autoimmune diseases and for donation
• Complications: decreased Calcium, urticarial rash, and bacterial infection

Migraine Headaches

• Unknown cause, multiple triggers
• Symptoms: pain, language changes, and visual disturbances
• Treatment: NSAIDs, muscle relaxants, Imitrex (contraindicated in cardiac/angina patients), beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, and antidepressants
• Nursing interventions: dark room, cool cloth over eyes, silence, and taking medications as prescribed

Viral Meningitis

• Inflammation of the meninges caused by a viral infection
• Symptoms: fever, headache, altered mental status, and nuchal rigidity
• Diagnosis: CSF with viral infection shows clear fluid, increased protein, and normal glucose
• Cerebrospinal fluid is a clear fluid found in the brain and spinal cord, assessed in neurological conditions

Alzheimer's Disease

• Gradual progression of brain function loss
• Affects memory, thinking, and behavior
• Symptoms: forgetfulness, language difficulty, short-term memory loss, personality changes, and difficulty with problem-solving
• Diagnosis: autopsy, symptoms
• No cure, medications help with progression (Aricept, Namenda)
• Nursing interventions: reorienting patients, acknowledging them, engaging them in activities, using gestures and pictures, validating feelings, and monitoring in new environments

Parkinson Disease

• Progressive neurodegenerative disease of the CNS, affecting motor function
• Symptoms: resting tremors, muscle rigidity, slowness or loss of movement, postural instability, and mask-like face
• Treatment: anticholinergics, dopamine receptor agonists (Requip)
• Nursing interventions: smaller frequent meals, increasing head of bed (HOB), promoting independence, and suctioning at bedside

Epilepsy

• Chronic disorder with two seizures occurring within 24 hours of each other
• Symptoms: sensory disturbances, loss of consciousness, and convulsions
• Treatment: anticonvulsants, brain surgery
• Nursing interventions: IV access patent, suctioning at bedside, side rails up

Seizures and Related Pharmacology

• Sudden, uncontrolled, excessive discharge of electrical activity from the brain
• Symptoms: behavior changes, convulsions, and loss of consciousness
• Types: partial and generalized
• Diagnosis: CT, MRI
• Treatment: anticonvulsants (often in combination)
• Status epilepticus: prolonged seizure greater than 5 minutes, emergency situation
• Treatment: IV Ativan, then phenytoin