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57 Cards in this Set

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What are the 3 components that make up the skull?
brain tissue
blood
cerebralspinal fluid
What is intracranial pressure?
a very important way to monitor a pt with possible elevated pressures
Intracranial pressure is from?
the pressure exerted by the total volume of the brain tissue, blood, and cerebralspinal fluid-should remain constant.
What is normal intracranial pressure?
0-15 mm HG
What might happen in your brain if you start to have a bleed, or brain tissues get inflammed?
Brain might decrease the CSF so blood has room to spread or decrease the blood so the brain has room to enlarge
How much volume is in the brain?
120 ml of volume
What is normal intracranial pressure?
Normal ICP:0-15
Laying flat:7-15
Standing up: below 0
What are the factors that influence ICP?
Arterial pressure- HTN, clots can cause blockages
Venous pressure: heart failure w/backup of fluids
IntraABD and intrathoracic pressure-lifing, straining, coughing, bathroom, exercising
Posture
Temperature-vasoconstrict or vasodilate
How do blood gases affect intracranial pressure?
Blood gases-
CO2 levels HIGH
H are HIGH
or if 02 levels are LOW
-ALL CAUSE VASODILATION--
Increases blood flow, increase ICP
All of these factors effect the brain how?
We have a limited way of compensating in our brain, but, the degree of the increase in ICP depends on the ability of the brain to accomodate
The ability for the brain to adapt to slight changes in the skull is called? who does it not apply to?
Modified Monro-Kellie doctrine
Does not pertain to neonates or ppl with displaced skull fractures
Does the total intracranial volume in skull ever change?
no, it cannnot. If Volume of one of the components increases, then another one is displaced.
What are the normal compensatory mechniasms of the body to adapt to an increase in intracrainal pressure (limited ability)?
1. can alter CSF production or absorption
2. can displace excess CSF in spinal subarachnoid space
3. vasoconstriction/dilation
4. distention of dura or compression of brain tissue
How does the brain get glucose?
it uptakes it itself- does not need insulin!
Lack of glucose for 5 minutes results in irreversible brain damage
What regulates the brain flow?
The brain itself b.c it is the most important organ in our body. Blood is shunted away from other organs in the body
Uses 20% oxygen, 25% glucose
How much blood in ml passes through 100g of the brain tissue in 1 minute?
50 ml/min per 100 g of brain tissue (delievers the oxygen)
What is the equation for cerebral profusion pressure?
and what is the normal value?
CPP= Mean arterial pressure-intracranial pressure
CPP should be 70-100
ICP should be 0-15
A value of what CPP is death?
30 and below
What CPP value is ischmia and neuronal death?
50
Explaint the 4 stages of the intracranial pressure graph?
Stage 1: high compliance
stage 2: decrease in compliance, increase risk for ICP
stage 3: any small addition in volume causes a great increase in ICP, loss of autoregulation
stage 4:ICP rising to lethal death
What are the main factors that affect the cerebral blood flow?
CO2 O2 Hydrogen ions
How does CO2 increase actually adffect cerebral blod flood?
increase in PaCO2 relaxes smooth muscles, dilates cerebral vessels
INCREASES CEREBRAL BLOOD FLOW (think: its wanting 02)
How exactly does low 02 concentration/ high levels of H+ ions affect cerebral blood flow?
Vasodilators- seen in pt with acidosis
What is an emergency way to decrease hydrogen ions to try and decrease intracrainial pressure?
you can blow off H ions concentrations and CO2 levels
-used to be a standard in ICU, but now studies show this can lead to focal problems
---in emergency, can be used if its absolutely necessary--
Increased ICP is from?
Any situation that causes an increase in brain tissue, cerebralspinal fluid, or blood in skull will cause ICP.
What kind of edema could be a cause of ICP?
increased cerebral edema (know there are 3 types: vasogenic, cytoxic, interstitial)
Describe what vasogenic cerebral edema is caused by?
Capillary permeability-protiens and fluids enter blood brain barrier d/t breakdown in entry. *Most common form of cerrebral edema
What is cytoxic cerebral edema?
blood/brain barrier is intact here.
Disruption in cell membranes-causes cerebral edema
What is interstitial cerebral edema?
Diffusion of cerebralspinal fluid in pt with uncontrolled hydrocephalus or systemic water excess
What are the typical causes of cerebral edema?
brain surgery
Meningitis, encephalitis
Mass lesions
hemorrhages
head injuries
vasular accident
toxic or metabolic conditions-uremia, hepatic encephalopathy
arsenia/lead intoxication
Explain how the body tries to fix its self but really is working against itself to fix cerebral edema?
Insult-swelling-pushing on blood vessels. Brain tells body to vasodilate and bring 02 in so brain doesnt get ischmic---more edema---more ICP
What is the earliest signs of increased intracranial pressure (may or may not be seen? ?
Vision Blurred
HA
projectile vomiting, no nausea
What #1 sign would absolutely tell us pt is having increased intracranial pressure?
Change in level of conciousness
What kind of vital signs would we see in a pt with increased intracranial pressure?
Cushing's triad-
Hypertension (high systolic with widening pulse pressure -High high systolic, diastolic is not going really high)
Bradycardia
Irregular respirtations
Why do you see the Cushings triad in ICP pt?
ICP--pt has decreased CPP-activated sypathetic nerve system--vasoconstriction--increased contractability of heart, increased cardiac out--HTN. Increased BP picked up by barorecptors in carotid arteries-stimulates vagal (flight response)- bradycardia. Pressure on brain stem affects respiratory centers-build up of CO2.
What are the occular signs in pt with increase ICP?
pupil dilation and changes in reactivity
Unilateral at first depeneding on what side of brain affected, then bilateral
If pt becomes acutely unconcious, you better suspect
an increase in INTRACRANIAL PRESSURE
Dilated pupils can indicate?
pressure on crainial nerves. Pinpoint pupils can be pons damage or on drugs
What does the more serious postuing look like in a pt with loss of motor function experiencing increase in ICP, called decerabrate posturing?
Extensor -upper and lower limbs extended following a stimulus.
Indicates brain damage below nucleus.
VERY BAD
What is the decorticate posturate position in coma pt?
"mummy like" position- not as serious. Upper limbs flexed over body, lower limbs extended
What is the glascow coma scale used for? and what 3 areas do you numerically assess?
assess how pt is doing neuro wise:
eye opening
verbal response
motor response
How does the scale work?
the higher the number, the better off you are
best is 15/15
3-5 glascow scale number means?
probably fatal
If your number is 8 or below,
How is none?
What does 3 mean?
trouble!
0=none, worst than deceribrate
3 means no respone in pupils, verbal, or motor funtion. (1=none) BAD
What diagnostic tests might pt need if suspect ICP?
MRI
CT
Angiography-leaks
EEG-brain is firing
O2 measure
measuring ICP
What is the nursing care assciated with increase intracranial pressure?
Neuro check with glascow scale 1-2 hours, fluid/electrolyte assessment, grips, pupils
MAINTAIN AIRWAY
What is an exact way to monitor the pt with ICP's respiratory/02 function?
Pa02-maintain 100 mmHG or more
ABG analysis guides 02 therapy
Mechanical ventillator?
What body postion should be maintained in ICP pt?
HOB up 30 degrees, if not contraindicated
Turn to prevent ulcers
GI wise, what must you watch for?
Can pt cough?
Constipation and bladder distention
NO COUGHING
These all increase ICP d/t straining
Spread out nursing activity, why?
less stimulation on pt brain, less stress, can decrease pressure or put less on it
What is the gold standard for measuring intracranial pressure?
VENTRICLES
*** all methods open the pts brain to outside world, huge risk of infection.
What other places we can measure intracranial pressure?
subarachnoid space
epidural space
brain parenchymal tissue
What kind of pts would we monitor ICP this closely?
Admitted with Glasgow Coma scale of 8 orl less
those with abnormal CT scans or MRI
What is one of the benefits of monitoring intracrainial pressure so invasively?
you can intermittenly remove fluid as well
-document as output
What is the drug therapy for ICP pts?
Mannitol-Osmoti diuretic
Corticosteriods- for swelling, watch for hypoglycemia, infections, GI bleed
Barbiturates- decrease metabolic rate and needs of brain
antiseizure meds-Dilantin-prevents seizure, preventing expenditure by body
How should we use the hyperventillation therapy in pt with ICP?
Breif periods may be used for cerebral HTN
-contricts blood vessels , decreasing cerebral blood floow, decreasing ICP
Only do every so often
For ICP pt, what kind of states will they be in (2)?
Increased need for what electrolyte?
What is the key IV fluid for this pt?
Hypermetabolic and hypercatabolic state
Increase need for glucose
Keep pt normovolemic
IV .9% NaCl