Notes for Student Nurses

Hydrocephalus is the abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the intracranial spaces. It occurs due to imbalance between production or absorption of CSF or due to obstruction of CSF pathways. It results in the dilation of the cerebral ventricles and enlargement of the head. Etiology  / Causes : It may occur due to congenital or acquired causes. Congenital Hydrocephalus:           It occurs due to following conditions: Intrauterine infections : mainly in rubella, cytomegalovirus  Congenital brain tumor obstructing the CSF flow. Intracranial hemorrhage Congenital malformation like aqueduct stenosis, displacement of brainstem and cerebellum, blocking of septum or membrane of outlet of the 4th ventricle. Malformation of arachnoid villi. Acquired Hydrocephalus:           It occurs usually in following conditions : Inflammation : meningitis, encephalitis Trauma : birth trauma , head inju...

        Nursing Management  Fig. Patient having pain due to trigeminal neuralgia  1. Nursing Assessment : Detailed history and physical examination : it should include detailed patient history , medical past   history , chief complaints of sudden unilateral , severe , stabbing , paroxysmal and recurrent pain. Physical examination of ear , mouth , teeth and temporal mandibular joint. Look thoroughly for SWEET criteria.  Assessment of nutritional status and dehydration Assess patient's anxiety and depression  2. Nursing Diagnosis and Interventions : a) Chronic pain related to activation of trigger zones along the nerve pathways .  Assess current pain management strategies and effectiveness .It is done for measuring the      effectiveness of new pain strategies.   Assess patient's knowledge of specific trigger activities for pain.This is done to identify factors that can be manipula...

               Trigeminal Neuralgia  Anatomy of trigeminal nerve         The trigeminal nerve is the largest of 12 cranial nerves. Its main function is transmitting sensory information to the skin, sinuses and mucous membranes in the face. It also stimulates movement in the jaw muscles.        The trigemnial nerve has three different divisions. Each division has different functions .  Opthalmic division :  The opthalmic division conveys sensory information from the : scalp forehead upper parts of the sinuses upper eyelid and associated mucous membranes  cornea of the eye bridge of the nose                                 Maxillary division : Like the opthalmic division, the maxillary division of trigemnial nerve has a sensory component. It transmits sensory information fr...