Neurologic Dysfunction 1.

Migraine headache – Typically occurs

on one side of the head.
 Altered Level of Consciousness 2. Tension headache – Around the back of
Name of Disease: the head, the temples, and the forehead,
almost as through a tight hat is
Brief Description: squeezing the head.
3. Hypnic headache – Occurs exclusively
Patho:
during sleep, usually at the same at
Sign and symptoms: night.
4. Cluster headache – Typically behind or
Medications:
around one eye.
Nursing Interventions:

Patho:
 Brain Abscess Sign and symptoms:
Name of Disease: 1. Migraine headache.
Brief Description:  Severe headache
 Ringing in the ears
Patho:  Neck or shoulder pain
 Nausea
Sign and symptoms:
 Vomiting
Medications:  Irritability
 Intolerance of light or sound
Nursing Interventions:
2. Tension headache.
 Brain Injuries  Headache on the back of your head, in
front of the head or on the side
 Guillain- Barrie Syndrome  Headache that is present during the
daytime;
 Head Injuries
 Sleep disorders
Headache  Severe fatigue
 Irritability
Name of Disease:  Loss of concentration
1. Migraine headache.  Hypersensitivity to light or noise
 Muscle pain.
2. Tension headache. 3. Hypnic headache.
 Dull or throbbing pain affecting one
3. Hypnic headache.
or both sides of the head.
4. Cluster headache.  Waking up in the middle of the
night due to headache, multiple
times a month.
 Nausea.
 Sensitivity to light or sounds.
 Runny eyes or nose.
Brief Description: 4. Cluster headache
 Severe pain on one side
 Teary and red eyes
  Congestion on same side as pain  Intracranial Surgery
 Restlessness or agitation
Medications:
Ischemic Stroke
1. Migraine headache.
 Sumatriptan (selective serotonin Name of Disease:
receptor agonist) and rizatriptan Brief Description:
(triptans) – Constrict blood vessels and
block pain pathways in the brain,  occurs when a blood clot or plaque
relieving migraine symptoms blocks an artery in the brain, disrupting
 ibuprofen and naproxen (NSAIDS) - blood flow.
Reduce inflammation and pain
Patho:
associated with migraines
 Prochlorperazine (antipsychotic) - Sign and symptoms:
Help alleviate nausea and vomiting
 Face drooping
commonly associated with migraines
 Arm and legs weakness
2. Tension headache.
 Slurred speech
 Ibuprofen (NSAIDS) or
 Loss of balance
acetaminophen (Analgesics) - reducing
 Trouble seeing
inflammation and blocking pain signals
 Severe headache
in the brain.
3. Hypnic headache. Medications:
 Lithium (Lithobid) — a medication used
to treat bipolar disorder.  Tissue Plasminogen Activator (tPA):
 Indomethacin (Indocin) — a Clot-busting medication given
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory intravenously to dissolve blood clots and
medication. restore blood flow to the affected area of
4. Cluster headache. the brain
 verapamil (Calan SR, Verelan) - calcium  Antiplatelet agents (e.g., aspirin,
channel blocking agent used for the clopidogrel): Medications that prevent
treatment of gigh blood pressure, angina blood clots from forming by inhibiting
and supraventricular tachycardia. platelet aggregation
 Lithium (Lithobid) — a medication used  Anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin,
to treat bipolar disorder dabigatran): Blood-thinning
 Triptans - used as abortive medication in medications that prevent the formation
the treatment of migraines and cluster of new blood clots or the enlargement of
headaches existing clots.
 Statins: Medications that lower
cholesterol levels and help stabilize
plaques in the arteries, reducing the risk
Nursing Interventions:
of further vascular events, including
stroke.

 Hemorrhagic Stroke Nursing Interventions:

 Herpes Simplex Encephalitis  Regular monitoring of neurological

status, including level of consciousness,
 Increased ICP
 motor function, sensory perception, and Patho:
vital signs.
Sign and symptoms:
 Ensuring proper positioning to prevent
complications such as aspiration 1. Pyogenic or bacterial meningitis
pneumonia, pressure ulcers, and  altered mental status
contractures. Position changes every 2  nausea
hours and maintaining proper alignment  vomiting
are important.  sensitivity to light
 Administering medications as  irritability
prescribed, including thrombolytics,  headache
antiplatelet agents, anticoagulants,  fever
antihypertensives, and other medications  chills
to manage comorbidities.  stiff neck
 Encouraging early mobilization and  purple areas of skin that resemble
participation in physical and bruises
occupational therapy to promote  sleepiness
recovery of function and prevent  lethargy
complications of immobility. 2. Viral meningitis, fungal/aseptic
 Providing education to the patient and meningitis
family about stroke, risk factor  nausea
modification, medication management,  vomiting
rehabilitation, and community resources.  sensitivity to light
 neck stiffness
Meningitis
 fever
Name of Disease:  headache
 a general sense of being unwell
Brief Description: an infection and inflammation
 confusion or disorientation
of the fluid and membranes surrounding the
3. Tuberculous meningitis
brain and spinal cord.
 Headache
Types of Meningitis  Fever
 Stiff neck
1. Pyogenic or bacterial meningitis  Nausea
- caused by bacterial infection,  Vomiting
typically by organisms such as  Cranial nerve palsies
Streptococcus pneumoniae,  Sensory disturbances
Neisseria meningitidis, or  Seizure
Hemophilus influenzae.  Sensory disturbances
2. Viral meningitis, fungal/aseptic
meningitis - is the most Medications:
common form of meningitis and
1. Pyogenic or bacterial meningitis
is caused by various viruses,
 Cefotaxime and ceftriaxone (Selected
including enteroviruses
third-generation cephalosporins) – the
3. Tuberculous meningitis - caused
beta lactams of choice in empiric
by infection with
treatment of meningitis.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis,
2. Viral meningitis, fungal/aseptic
the bacterium that causes
meningitis
tuberculosis
  Acyclovir (Antiviral) – used to treat
viral meningitis caused by specific
viruses such as herpes simplex virus.
 Fluconazole (Antifungal) – treat fungal
meningitis caused by fungal infection
such as cryptococcus neoformans
 Dexamethasone (Corticosteroids) –
reduce inflammation in cases of viral or
fungal meningitis, particularly when
there is significant cerebral edema or
inflammation.
3. Tuberculous meningitis
 Isoniazid (antitubercular drugs) – these
medication target the mycobacterium
tuberculosis bacteria responsible for the
infection.
Nursing Interventions:
1. Pyogenic or bacterial meningitis
 Regular monitoring of neurological
status, including level of consciousness,
vital signs, pupil size and reaction,
motor function, and sensory perception.
 Monitoring fluid balance and electrolyte
levels closely, and administering
intravenous fluids as needed to maintain
hydration and electrolyte balance.
 Providing education to the patient and
family about the nature of the illness,
treatment plan, potential complications,
and signs of deterioration
2. Viral meningitis, fungal/aseptic
meningitis
 Encouraging adequate fluid intake
to prevent dehydration, especially if
the patient has fever, vomiting, or
diarrhea. Intravenous fluids may be
necessary for patients who are
unable to tolerate oral intake.
 Continuous monitoring
neurological status, including level
of consciousness, orientation, motor
strength, and pupillary response, to
detect any neurological deterioration
promptly.
 Regular assessment of temperature,
pulse, blood pressure, and
respiratory rate to detect any
changes that may indicate
worsening of the condition or
development of complications.
 Providing education to the patient
and family about the condition,
treatment plan, and signs of
worsening symptoms
3. Tuberculous meningitis
 Ensure timely administration of
antitubercular medications as
prescribed by the healthcare
provider.
 Educate the patient and family about
the importance of completing the
full course of treatment to prevent
drug resistance.
 Monitor for medication side effects
and adverse reactions, reporting any
concerns to the healthcare team.
 Ensure proper isolation precautions
are followed if indicated.
 Encourage adequate fluid intake to
prevent dehydration, especially if
the patient is experiencing fever or
vomiting.
 Educate the patient and family about
tuberculosis transmission, treatment,
and prevention.
Multiple Sclerosis
Brief Description: the most common of the
demyelinating disorders and the predominant
CNS disease among young adults. MS is a
progressive disease caused by demyelination of
the white matter of the brain and spinal cord.
of Patho:
Sign and symptoms:
 fatigue.
 vision problems.
 numbness and tingling.
  muscle spasms, stiffness and weakness.  Blurred or double vision.
 mobility problems.  Slurred speech.
 pain.  Problems chewing and swallowing.
Medications:  Weakness in the arms and legs.
 Interferon beta medications. These  Chronic fatigue.
drugs used to be the most prescribed
 Trouble breathing.
medications to treat MS.
 Glatiramer acetate (Copaxone,
Glatopa). This medication may help
block your immune system's attack on Medications:
myelin and must be injected beneath the  Cholinesterase inhibitors. Medicines
skin. such as pyridostigmine (Mestinon,
 Monoclonal antibodies. Ofatumumab Regonal) improve communication
(Kesimpta, Arzerra) targets cells that between nerves and muscles.
damage the nervous system.  Corticosteroids. Corticosteroids such as
Nursing Interventions: prednisone (Rayos) block the immune
system, making it less able to produce
1. Managing Fatigue and Promoting antibodies.
Energy Conservation Techniques  Immunosuppressants. Your provider
2. Accept when the patient is unable to also might prescribe other medicines
do activities. that change your immune system.
3. Determine the need for walking aids.
Provide braces, walkers, or Nursing Interventions:
wheelchairs. Review safety 1. Assist the patient to a sitting position
considerations. when eating and drinking.
4. Schedule ADLs in the morning if 2. Consider the use of feeding tubes.
appropriate. Investigate the use of a 3. Administer medications as indicated.
cooling vest. 4. Adjust the eating routine.
5. Plan care consistent rest periods 5. Consult with speech therapy.
between activities. Encourage
afternoon naps.

Seizure Disorder
Myasthenia Gravis Brief Description:
Brief Description: a chronic autoimmune Patho:
disorder in which antibodies destroy the
communication between nerves and muscle, Sign and symptoms:
resulting in weakness of the skeletal muscles.
Medications:
Patho:
Nursing Interventions:
Sign and symptoms:
 Drooping eyelid.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Brief Description: Seizures may be the result of
genetics or a brain injury, but often their cause is
unknown. The words “seizure disorder” and
“epilepsy” are often used interchangeably.
TYPES OF SEIZURES
1. Focal seizures - begin with an
abnormal electrical discharge
restricted to one small region of
the brain.
2. Generalized Seizures - begin
with a widespread, excessive
electrical discharge involving
both hemispheres, or sides, of
the brain.
Patho:
Sign and symptoms:
 Temporary confusion.
 A staring spell.
 Jerking movements of the arms and legs
that can't be controlled.
 Loss of consciousness or awareness.
 Cognitive or emotional changes. They
may include fear, anxiety or a feeling
that you've already lived this moment,
known as deja vu.
and after a seizure attack; avoid using
thermometers that can cause breakage.
 Promote airway clearance. Maintain in
lying position, a flat surface; turn head
to side during seizure activity; loosen
clothing from neck or chest and
abdominal areas; suction as needed;
supervise supplemental oxygen or bag
ventilation as needed postictally.
 Improve self-esteem. Determine
individual situation related to low self-
esteem in the present circumstances;
 Enforce education about the
disease. Review pathology and
prognosis of condition and lifelong need
for treatments as indicated; discuss
patient’s particular trigger factors

Medications:

 Carbamazepine (Tegretol) Carbamaze

pine is an antiepileptic medication that
treats focal onset and generalized
seizures.
 Lamotrigine (Lamictal) can be used for
both focal onset and generalized
seizures.

Nursing Interventions:
 Prevent trauma/injury. Teach SO to
determine and familiarize warning signs
and how to care for the patient during