| A | B |
|---|
| Increased ICP Vital sign changes | Blood pressure increases; heart rate decreases; respirations decrease; pulse pressure widens |
| Herniation | pressure inside the skull pushes the brain stem through the foramen magnum |
| Increased ICP Risk Factors | Traumatic brain injury; sports injuries; bike and skateboard injuries; falls; blood thinner medications |
| Signs/symptoms of increased ICP | LOC changes; increased BP; Decreased HR; papilledema; fixed/dilated pupils; pain; vomit |
| Increased ICP diagnostics | CT; MRI; Ventriculostomy monitor; lumbar puncture |
| Causes of increased ICP | Increase in blood, tissue, or fluid within the skull/cranium |
| Seizures | Increased activation or decreased inhibition of neurons; random electrical signals across neuronal pathways |
| Epilepsy | Neurological disorder characterized by recurring episodes of seizures |
| Seizure Causes | Traumatic brain injury; infection (meningitis); sodium imbalances; hypoglycemia; drug/alcohol withdrawal; hemorrhage; tumor; toxins; medications; hypoxia |
| Aura | Sensory warning that a seizure is imminent |
| Electroencephalogram (EEG) | An electrical recording of the brain in real time. Probes placed on head and brainwaves monitored |
| Focal seizure | Starts in one small area of brain; affects one or more parts of body (NOT entire body); usually conscious but not aware |
| Generalized seizure | Occur on both sides of the brain and affect the entire body; affects entire body; loss of consciousness and awareness |
| Atonic | Complete muscle relaxation |
| Tonic | Muscles in body stiffen |
| Myotonic | Short jerking of parts of body |
| Clonic | Periods of shaking |
| Absence seizures | Considered Generalized; Person stares and becomes unresponsive for short period of time |
| Tonic-clonic seizures | Considered generalized; sudden cyclic tightening and loosening of all major muscle groups |
| Simple-focal | Considered focal; affects small area of brain; leads to twitching in extremity or change in sensation |
| Seizure management | Protect the airway; turn on side; loosen tight clothing; protect from injury; ease to the floor; place soft material behind head/neck; time the seizure |
| Neurotransmitters | chemical messengers that move messages from periphery to the brain |
| Gamma-amniobutyric acid (GABA) | inhibitory neurotransmitter |
| Serotonin | involved in mood, emotions, and sleep |
| Acetylcholine | autonomic nervous system neurotransmitter |
| Dopamine | plays a role in reward-motivated behavior and movement |
| Norepinephrine | stimulates the sympathetic system |
| Endorphins and enkephalins | responsible for reducing pain or stress |
| Autonomic nervous system | The main pathway that all nerves run through; split into sympathetic and parasympathetic |
| sympathetic system | "Fight or Flight" system. Depending on which area is activated, the system sends out impulses to prepare the body for battle, or to prepare the body to run. |
| parasympathetic system | "Rest and Digest" system. This system aids in the recovery of the body after sympathetic activity. |
| Abnormal EXCITATION of sensory perception disorders | Fibromyalgia; photophobia; phonophobia |
| Abnormal INHIBITION of sensory perception disorders | Neuropathy; retinitis; spinal cord injury; anosmia |
| Fibromyalgia | Over-stimulation of pain, pressure, and temperature receptors causing significant discomfort. |
| Photophobia | Over-stimulation of the retinal nerve causing discomfort |
| Phonophobia | Over-stimulation of the auditory nerve causing discomfort |
| Neuropathy | Damage to peripheral nerve causing inhibition of peripheral pain, pressure, temperature receptors |
| Neuropathy Causes | Nerve injury; Diabetes Mellitus (hyperglycemia); poor gas exchange; poor perfusion; trauma |
| Neuropathy Manifestions | burning; tingling; numbness; weakness/paralysis; atrophy; frequent falls |
| Risk Factors for Neuropathy | DM; heart disease; peripheral vascular disease; vitamin deficiency; chemical/toxin exposure; alcohol/tobacco use; infections; medications; genetics; tumors; bone marrow disorders; trauma |
