NEUROLOGIC DISORDERS

Prepared by:
Remerose C. Ragasa, RN
INFLAMMATORY DISORDERS

DEGENERATIVE DISORDERS

SEIZURE DISORDERS
 INFLAMMATORY DISORDERS

Meningitis

 Is the inflammation of the meninges, which

cover and protect the brain and spinal cord.
Clinical Manifestations :
Diagnostic findings :
 Lumbar puncture for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
analysis 

Medical Management
 Pharmacologic treatment:
Antimicrobial drugs, Dexamethasone
Diazepam, Osmotic diuretic
Nursing Interventions :

 Infection control precaution

 Vital signs and Neurologic status monitoring
 Assess for signs of increasing ICP
 Assist with pain management
 Encourage to stay hydrated.
 Assist with getting rest in a quite darkened
room.
 Herpes Simplex Encephalitis

 Acute inflammatory process of the brain tissues

caused by (HSV) Herpes Simplex Virus which
involves local necrotizing hemorrhage that
becomes more generalized, followed by edema.
Clinical Manifestations :
Diagnostic findings :
 CSF examination with PCR method

Medical Management
 Antiviral agents
Nursing Interventions :

 Assessment of neurologic functions

 Medication is given slow IV for 1hour
 Comfort measures to reduce headache like
dimming of lights and giving analgesic agents
 DEGENERATIVE DISORDERS

Parkinson Disease

 The dopaminergic neurons in the part of the

brain called substantia nigra have started to
die.
Clinical Manifestations :
Diagnostic findings :
 Diagnosed from patient’s history & presence of
two of the four cardinal manifestation

Medical Management
 NO cure but medications
can help make signs and
symptoms more manageable
Nursing Interventions :

 Safety issues 
 Digestion issues/nutrition issues
 Side effects and teaching with medications
 Huntington Disease

 autosomal dominant disease in which the

behavior of the mutated protein (mHtt) is toxic
to certain cell types, particularly brain cells
most evident in the subcortical basal ganglia and
cerebral cortex.
Clinical Manifestations :

+ Cognitive + Psychiatric
Impairment Disorder

Motor dysfunction
Diagnostic findings :
 Diagnosed from patient’s clinical symptoms, a
positive family history & presence of genetic
marker CAG

Medical Management
 NO cure but medications can help make signs
and symptoms more manageable
Nursing Interventions :

 Care facilities
 Eating and nutrition
 Physical therapy
 Speech therapy
 Psychotherapy
 Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

 is a disease of unknown cause in which there is

a loss of motor neurons in the anterior horns of
the spinal cord and the motor nuclei of the lower
brain stem
Clinical Manifestations :
Diagnostic findings :
 No clinical or lab tests are specific to this
disease.

Medical Management
 NO cure but medications
can help make signs and
symptoms more manageable
Nursing Interventions :

 Care facilities
 Speech therapy
 Physical therapy
 Nutritional support
 Psychological and social support
 SEIZURE DISORDERS

Epilepsy

 a chronic disorder in which brain activity

becomes abnormal, causing at least two
unprovoked seizures occurring more than 24
hours apart.
Clinical Manifestations :
Diagnostic findings :
 Developmental history, neurologic examination
& diagnostic test particularly EEG.

Medical Management
 Pharmacologic therapy
 Surgical Management
Nursing Interventions :

 Promote airway clearance. 

 Prevent trauma/injury. 
 Enforce education about the disease.
TRAUMATIC DISORDERS

NERVOUS SYSTEM TUMOR

DISORDERS

VASCULAR DISORDERS
 TRAUMATIC DISORDERS

Traumatic Brain Injury

 A sudden injury that causes damage to the brain.

It may happen when there is a blow, bump, or
jolt to the head and penetrating injury.
Types of Brain Injury :

 Contusion
 Concussion
 Epidural hematoma
 Subdural hematoma
 Intracerebral
hemorrhage
Clinical Manifestations :
Mild TBI Moderate to Severe TBI
Headache Headache that gets worse
Lightheadedness Repeated vomiting or nausea
Confusion Seizures
Fatigue Not being able to wake up
from sleep
Loss of coordination
Diagnostic findings :
 Imaging such as  CT scan and MRI

Medical Management
 For mild TBI, the main treatment is rest.
 For moderate to severe TBI:
- Surgery
- Medicines
- Supportive measures
Nursing Interventions :

 Neurologic assessment.
 Monitoring of ICP.
 Monitoring fluid and electrolyte balance.
 Establish and maintain adequate airway.
 Promote adequate nutrition.
 Preventing injury.
 Maintain body temperature.
 Spinal Cord Injury

 Is an injury to the spinal cord, vertebral column,

supporting soft tissue, or intervertebral discs
caused by trauma.
Clinical Manifestations :

 Manifestations of SCI
depend on the type
and level of injury.
Diagnostic findings :
 Imaging such as X-rays, CT scan and MRI

Medical Management
 Pharmacologic therapy
 Respiratory therapy
 Skeletal fracture reduction
& traction
 Surgical Management
Nursing Interventions :
 Neurologic assessment.
 Promote adequate airway breathing and airway
clearance.
 Improving mobility.
 Maintaining skin integrity.
 Maintaining urinary elimination and bowel
function.
 Recognizing autonomic dysreflexia
 Monitoring potential complication.
 NERVOUS SYSTEM TUMORS
DISORDERS

Brain Tumors

 It occupies space within the skull growing as a

spherical mass or diffusely infiltrating tissue.
Clinical Manifestations :

ICP
Diagnostic findings :
 Imaging such as  CT scan and MRI

Medical Management
 Surgical management
 Radiation therapy
 Chemotherapy
 Pharmacologic therapy
Nursing Interventions :

 Frequent neuro checks.

 Perform interventions to minimize ICP
 Place the patient in seizure precautions
 Educate patients on the importance of
medication compliance.
 Support patients emotionally.
 VASCULAR DISORDERS

Cerebrovascular Disorder

 Refers to functional abnormality of the CNS

that occurs when blood supply to the brain is
disrupted. Stroke can be dived into two major
categories: Ischemic & Hemorrhagic
Clinical Manifestations :
Clinical Manifestations :
Diagnostic findings :
 CT scan. Carotid ultrasound. CTA. MRI.
Medical Management for ISCHEMIC STROKE

 Pharmacologic therapy
- Thrombolytic agents,
Anticoagulant, Statins,
Antiplatelet, Antihypertensive
 Endovascular therapy
 Surgical prevention
- Carotid endarterectomy
 Medical Management for HEMORRHAGIC
STROKE

 Bed rest with sedation

 Pharmacologic therapy
- Antihypertensive, Ca channel blockers
 Surgical management
 ICP management
 Seizure management
Nursing Interventions :

 Monitor vital signs and neuro status

 Turn every 2 hours with proper alignment and
watch for increased ICP during acute stage.
 Monitor bowel and bladder function
 Passive ROM with extremities and preventing
contractions 
Nursing Interventions :

 Receptive aphasia - use short phrases, gestures

or point while giving a command, be patient and
not expect a fast response
 Expressive Aphasia - be patient and let them
speak, be direct and simple when asking
questions, give options for communication via a
dry erase board
 Diet -  thicken liquids and mechanical soft foods
Nursing Interventions :

 Watch for neglect syndrome - Remind patient

to use and touch both sides of body daily (must
make a conscious effort to do so). Educate the
patient about the importance of turning head
side-to-side.
 
 Hemianopsia – turn head side to side to see all
visual fields to prevent injury.
Nursing Interventions :

 Approach patient with a decreased field of

vision on the side where visual perception is
intact.
 Stroke care is a multidisciplinary approach.
SHOKRAN