Seizures and Meningitis PDF

# Neurological Disorders: Seizures and Meningitis ## Seizures ### What is a Seizure? - Abnormal episodes resulting from sudden, excessive electrical discharge in cerebral neurons. ### Types of Seizures - **Focal (motor, non-motor)** - one brain hemisphere - **Generalized** - both hemispheres; impa...

# Neurological Disorders: Seizures and Meningitis ## Seizures ### What is a Seizure? - Abnormal episodes resulting from sudden, excessive electrical discharge in cerebral neurons. ### Types of Seizures - **Focal (motor, non-motor)** - one brain hemisphere - **Generalized** - both hemispheres; impaired consciousness ### Classification of Seizures - **Partial (Focal) Seizures:** begin in one brain area - **Simple partial:** consciousness remains intact - **Complex partial:** impaired consciousness - **Generalized Seizures:** include tonic-clonic, absence, unclassified types ### Causes of Seizures - **Common Causes:** Cerebrovascular disease, head injury, CNS infections, metabolic and toxic conditions, epilepsy, and drug/alcohol withdrawal. ## Epilepsy - Group of syndromes with unprovoked, recurring seizures. ### Primary Epilepsy - Unknown cause ### Secondary Epilepsy - Symptomatic of an underlying condition (e.g., brain tumor) ## Nursing Assessment for Seizures - **History:** Medical, developmental, lifestyle, and medication history. - **Observations:** Circumstances before the seizure, aura, duration, movements, and post-seizure state. ## Interventions for Seizures - **Non-surgical:** Drug therapy, seizure precautions, and phase management. - **Surgical:** Tumor/cyst removal, Vagal Nerve Stimulator, RNS. ## Nursing Actions During Seizure: - Safety and protection, post-seizure care, and preventing complications. ## Meningitis ### Overview - **Definition:** Inflammation of the brain and spinal cord membranes. - **Types:** - **Septic Meningitis:** Bacterial, caused by organisms like Streptococcus pneumoniae. - **Aseptic Meningitis:** Viral infection or linked to lymphoma, leukemia, or brain abscess. ### Pathophysiology - **Routes of Infection:** Through bloodstream or direct spread (e.g., trauma). - **Inflammatory Response:** Pathogen can cross the blood-brain barrier, causing inflammation. ### Clinical Manifestations of Meningitis - **Signs:** Headache, fever, altered LOC, behavioral changes. - **Signs of Meningeal Irritation:** Nuchal rigidity, Kernig's sign, Brudzinski reflex ### Complications of Meningitis - **Severe Complications:** Increased intracranial pressure, hydrocephalus, cerebral edema, brain herniation, and death. ## Nursing Assessment - **Laboratory Tests:** CSF analysis, WBC, MRI, CBC, serum electrolytes. - **Observational Signs:** Monitor for neurological changes, septic complications, and shock symptoms. ## Nursing Interventions - **Monitoring:** Neurological assessments, complication monitoring. - **Drug Therapy:** Antibiotics, steroids, anticonvulsants, fluid volume expanders. - **Infection Control:** Appropriate precautions, vaccination for high-risk groups. ## Practice Questions with Answers 1. During a generalized seizure, an appropriate nursing intervention would include: - **D) Loosen constrictive clothing** 2. Long-term phenytoin therapy may cause: - **C) Gingival hyperplasia** 3. Postictal state in seizures often involves: - **B) Confusion** 4. Status epilepticus treatment involves administering: - **B) Intravenous diazepam** 5. A 6-year-old with jerking motions in left arm and leg should be documented as: - **B) Complex partial seizure** 6. Which of these conditions is NOT a common cause of acquired seizures? - **C) Obesity** 7. An expected finding for bacterial meningitis is: - **B) Neck flexion produces knee and hip flexion** 8. Meningitis associated with acute lymphocytic leukemia is classified as: - **C) Aseptic** 9. In bacterial meningitis, the most appropriate infection control precaution is: - **D) Droplet** 10. Which is NOT a sign of meningeal irritation? - **B) Chvostek's sign** 11. The microorganism chiefly responsible for meningitis in clients with HIV/AIDS: - **C) Cryptococcus neoformans** 12. A cerebrospinal fluid analysis indicating bacterial meningeal infection shows: - **B) Increased WBC, increased protein, decreased glucose** 13. Which of the following is a primary goal in managing a patient experiencing status epilepticus? - **C) Ensuring adequate cerebral oxygenation** 14. A patient with epilepsy reports an increase in seizure activity around their menstrual cycle. This phenomenon is most likely due to: - **B) Hormonal fluctuations** 15. Which symptom is a clinical manifestation commonly associated with bacterial meningitis? - **A) Sudden onset of high fever and severe headache** 16. The nurse is monitoring a patient with meningitis for signs of increased intracranial pressure (ICP). Which symptom is an indicator of ICP? - **B) Decreased alertness and responsiveness** 17. Which of the following is a priority nursing intervention for a child experiencing a seizure in the classroom? - **C) Removing nearby objects that may cause injury**