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Unit 2: Nursing care of clients with neurosensory disorders

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Seizures and Epilepsy (Pg. 62) Define seizures:   Abrupt, abnormal, excessive & uncontrolled electrical discharge of neurons within the brain that may cause alterations in LOC &/or changes in motor/sensory behavior  
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What is epilepsy?   Defines a syndrome characterized by chronic recurring abnormal brain electrical activity  
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Epileptic seizure 3 broad categories:   Generalized, partial (focal/local), unclassified (idiopathic)  
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Risk factors (Pg. 62)   Genetic, acute febrile state, head trauma, cerebral edema, AEDS, infection, metabolic disorder, toxins, brain tumor, hypoxia, acute drug/alcohol withdrawal, fluid & lyte imbalance  
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Triggers (Pg. 63)   Increased physical activity, excessive stress, hyperventilation, overwhelming fatigue, acute alcohol ingestion, excessive caffeine intake, exposure to flashing lights  
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1. Generalized seizure   "Tonic-clonic", may begin with aura -begins for a few secs w tonic part (stiff) & loss of consciousness, breathing may stop -1-2 min clonic episode (rhythmic jerking of extremities), breathing may be irregular, cyanosis, cheek/tongue bite,incontinence  
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What is an aura?   Alteration in vision, smell, hearing, or emotional (feeling) -Associated with generalized seizures at times  
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Postictal phase   After seizure; a period of confusion and sleepiness  
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Tonic seizure:   Only tonic phase experienced -30 secs to several minutes -loss of consciousness -less common than tonic-clonic  
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Clonic seizure:   Only clonic phase experienced -several mins -muscles contract and relax -less common than tonic-clonic  
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Absence seizure: (pg. 63)   Common in children, loss of consciousness lasting few secs -Blank staring -eye fluttering/lip smacking, automatisms  
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Automatisms is?   Picking at the clothes, lip smacking (client is not aware) -associated with absence seizures sometimes  
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Myoclonic seizure:   Brief jerking or stiffening of the extremities, symmetrical or assymetrical -secs long  
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Atonic or akinetic seizure:   Few seconds of muscle tone lost -followed by period of confusion -usually results in falling  
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2. Partial seizure:   "Focal/local" -Complex or simple  
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Complex partial seizure:   Associated automatisms -can cause loss of consciousness for several minutes -amnesia may occur immediately prior to or after seizure  
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Simple partial seizure:   Consciousness is maintained -unusual sensations, deja vu, autonomic abnormalities; like changes in HR, flushing, unilateral extremity movements, pain or offensive smell  
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3. Unclassified seizure   "Idiopathic" -Doesn't fit into other categories -Account for 1/2 of all seizures -Occur for no reason  
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Lab tests:   Alcohol, illicit drug levels, HIV testing, toxins screen if suspected  
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Dx procedures for seizures:   EEG (electroencephalogram) -Records electrical activity and may identify the origin or seizure activity & MRI/CT/PET/CSF, can rule out potential causes  
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Nursing care: During a seizure -protect, A, secretions, position & why, clothing   -Protect from injury, move furniture, hold head in lap if on the floor -Position to provide patent airway & turn on side to decrease aspiration risk -Be prepared to suction secretions -Loosen tight clothing -Don't attempt to restrain  
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During a seizure care con't -Jaw, tongue blades, document   -Don't open jaw or insert airway (can damage teeth/lips, etc.) -Don't use padded tongue blades -Document onset, duration & client findings/observations prior to, during, and after (LOC, apnea, cyanosis, motor activity, incontinence)  
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Nursing care -Post seizure (Pg. 65) -position, neuro, precautions   "Postictal" -Maintain side-lying to prevent aspiration & help drain secretions -Check VS, neuro checks, any injuries? -Reorient/calm client -Precautions: bed lowest position, padding on side rails -Did client have an aura? -trigger?  
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Seizure medications:   AED (antiepileptic drugs) Ex. phenytoin (Dilantin)  
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Initial goal for med therapy:   Control w 1 med, if it doesn't work, increase dose or add/substitute w another med  
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How are therapeutic levels of the meds determined?   Blood tests, routinely done  
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When should meds be taken?   Same time every day  
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What can some AEDs cause?   Oral gum overgrowth, routine oral hygiene/dentist visits can help  
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What does Phenytoin decrease the effectiveness of?   Oral contraceptives  
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What does Phenytoin decrease the absorption of and increase the metabolism of?   Warfarin (Coumadin) -Don't give with  
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Surgical interventions for seizures (pg. 66)   Placement of a vagal nerve stimulator and excision of the portion of the brain causing the seizures for intractable seizures OR Surgical removal or interruption of brain tissue causing the seizures  
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What is a vagal nerve stimulator?   Device implanted into the left chest wall -Connected to an electrode placed on the left vagus nerve -Performed under general anesthesia  
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How is the VNS programmed?   To administer intermittent stimulation of the brain via stimulation of the bagel nerve at a rate specific to the client's needs -Avoid MRIs, microwaves, shortwave radios  
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What can the client do with this VNS to help w seizures?   Can hold a magnet over the implantable device to initiate it and can abort the seizure or lessen its severity  
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Surgical removal/interruption of brain tissue -Requires, awake or asleep?   Requires an open craniotomy -Client can be awake to ensure only abnormal brain tissue is removed  
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What is done during the surgical removal?   EEG monitoring or brain stimulation activities -To identify abnormal tissue -  
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Nursing actions:   -Education -AED monitoring of therapeutic levels -Medication tag -Driving laws for seizure hx  
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Seizure complications:   Status epilepticus  
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What is status epilepticus?   Prolonged seizure activity occurring over a 30-min time frame -low o2 levels, brain inability to return to normal state -acute condition requiring immediate tx  
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Nursing actions during status epilepticus   Maintain an airway, give o2, IV access, ECG monitor, pulse ox & ABGs  
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Meds to give during status epilepticus?   Loading dose of diazepam (Valium) or Lorazepam (Ativan) followed by a con't infusion of phenytoin (Dilantin)  
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