Nursing Care of a Family When a Child Has a Neurologic Disorder

NEUROLOGIC EXAMINATION

Cerebral Function

Cranial Nerve Function

Cerebellar Function

Motor Function

Sensory Function

Reflex Testing

DIAGNOSTIC TESTING

Lumbar Puncture

Ventricular Tap

X-ray Techniques

Cerebral Angiography

Myelography

(CT Scan and MRI) Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Nuclear Medicine Studies

Brain Scan

Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

Echoencephalography

Electroencephalography

INCREASED INTRACRANIAL PRESSURE

Causes

Birth Trauma or Hydrocephalus

Head Trauma from an Accident

Infection

Brain Tumor

Guillain-Barr Syndrome

INCREASED INTRACRANIAL PRESSURE MOTOR FUNCTIONS

Decorticate Posturing

Decerebrate Posturing

INTRACRANIAL PRESSURE MONITORING

Intraventricular Catheter ------------> Anterior Fontanelle

Subarachnoid Screw / Bolt ------------> Burr Hole in the Skull

Fiberoptic Sensor ------------>Epidural Space (anterior fontanelle)

Disposable Fiberoptic Transducer-tipped Catheter ------------> White Matter

ABNORMALITIES

NEURAL TUBE DISORDERS

NEUROCUTANEOUS SYNDROMES

Sturge-Weber Syndrome

Neurofibromatosis (von Recklinghausens Disease)

CEREBRAL PALSY

 Spastic Type
Hemiplegia Quadriplegia Diplegia / Paraplegia

 Dyskinetic or Athetoid Type

 Ataxic Type

 Mixed Type

PHYSICAL FINDINGS THAT SUGGEST CEREBRAL PALSY

Delayed motor movement

Abnormal head circumference

Abnormal posture

Abnormal reflexes

Abnormal muscle performance and tone

INFECTION

Bacterial Meningitis

Group B Streptococcal Infection

Encephalitis

Reyes Syndrome

Guillain-Barr Syndrome

Botulism

INFLAMMATORY DISORDERS

Carpal Tunnel Disorders

Facial Palsy

PAROXYSMAL DISORDERS

Recurrent Seizures

Status Epilepticus

ATAXIC DISORDER

Ataxia - Telangiectacia

Friedrichs Ataxia

SPINAL CORD INJURY

 First Recovery Phase Second Recovery Phase Third Recovery Phase

IMMOBILIZATION