NUR 3003 NERVOUS SYSTEM

ADULT NURSING PART 11NERVOUS SYSTEMPresented by Keron Jones-Fraser; RN, BScN, Cert. Nsg. Ed. MScN : 

ADULT NURSING PART 11NERVOUS SYSTEMPresented by Keron Jones-Fraser; RN, BScN, Cert. Nsg. Ed. MScN COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES SCHOOL OF ALLIED HEALTH & NURSING Utech, Ja. BSc IN NURSING

Assessment of Neurological Function : 

Assessment of Neurological Function OBJECTIVES At the end of the session students should be able to: Define the function of the nervous system Describe the structures and functions of the brain Explain the assessment of neurological function Describe the management of patients with neurological dysfunction

Assessment of Neurological Function : 

Assessment of Neurological Function FUNCTION OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM Controls all motor, sensory, autonomic, cognitive, and behavioral activities

Assessment of Neurological Function : 

Assessment of Neurological Function Structures of the Neurologic System Central nervous system Brain and spinal cord Peripheral nervous system Includes cranial and spinal nerves Autonomic and somatic systems Basic functional unit: neuron

Assessment of Neurological Function : 

Assessment of Neurological Function Neuron

Assessment of Neurological Function : 

Assessment of Neurological Function Neurotransmitters Communicate messages from one neuron to another or to a specific target tissue Neurotransmitters can potentiate, terminate, or modulate a specific action or can excite or inhibit a target cell Many neurologic disorders are due to imbalance in neurotransmitters

Assessment of Neurological Function : 

Assessment of Neurological Function The Brain Medial view of the brain

AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM : 

AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM Functions to regulates activities of internal organs and to maintain and restore internal homeostasis Sympathetic NS “Fight or flight” responses Main neurotransmitter is norepinephrine Parasympathetic NS Controls mostly visceral functions Regulated by centers in the spinal cord, brain stem, and hypothalamus

AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM : 

AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM

Assessment of Neurological Function : 

Assessment of Neurological Function HEALTH HISTORY: Pain Seizures Dizziness (abnormal sensation of imbalance or movement) and vertigo (illusion of movement, usually rotation) Visual disturbances Weakness Abnormal sensations

Assessment of Neurological Function : 

Assessment of Neurological Function Cerebral function: mental status, intellectual function, thought content, emotional status, perception, motor ability, and language ability The impact of any neurologic impairment on lifestyle and patient abilities and limitations Cranial nerves Motor system: posture, gait, muscle tone and strength, coordination and balance, and Romberg test Sensory system: tactile sensation, superficial pain, vibration, and position sense Reflexes: DTRs, abdominal, and plantar (Babinski)

Assessment of Neurological Function : 

Assessment of Neurological Function GERONTOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS Important to distinguish normal aging changes from abnormal changes Determine previous mental status for comparison; assess mental status carefully to distinguish delirium from dementia Normal changes may include: Losses in strength and agility; changes in gait, posture and balance; slowed reaction times and decreased reflexes; visual and hearing alterations; deceased sense of taste and smell; dulling of tactile sensations; changes in the perception of pain; and decreased thermoregulatory ability

Assessment of Neurological Function : 

Assessment of Neurological Function DIAGNOSTIC TESTS Computed tomography (CT) Positron emission tomography (PET) Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Cerebral angiography Myelography Noninvasive carotid flow studies

Assessment of Neurological Function : 

Assessment of Neurological Function DIAGNOSTIC TESTS con’t Transcranial Doppler Electroencephalography (EEG) Electromyography (EMG) Nerve conduction studies, evoked potential studies Lumbar puncture, Queckenstedt’s test, and analysis of cerebrospinal fluid