Gerry has learned during his yearly physical, he has a cerebral aneurysm. He comes to you, the clinical educator, for more information
a. What are the dangers of cerebral aneurysms?
b. What causes them, and what are the symptoms, if any?
c. Where they are most likely to occur?
d. What type of treatment is likely?
Students' answers should include the following:
a. Weakening of the wall of blood vessels
Circle of Willis, ring of arteries supplying the brain
May be congenital or secondary to hypertension and atherosclerosis
Dangers include sudden death, stroke, hematomas, etc.
b. Usually, no warning signs
Occur in arteries where blood pressure is high
Sudden, severe headache; dizziness; N/V; with rapid LOC
?Slow leak then stiff neck, visual disturbances, and intermittent nausea
c. Cerebral angiograph can reveal unruptured aneurysm.
CT and MRI safer to locate site of aneurysm
Lumbar puncture usually bloody when ruptures
Most inoperable due to location
d. Bed rest, prevention of rebleeding from site, decrease ICP, elevate HOB, and treat with antihypertensive agents and anticonvulsants
May need mechanical ventilation and sedation
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A) SIADH B) Diabetes insipidus C) Hypoglycemia D) Water intoxication
The nurse is caring for a patient with septic shock and MODS. A family member tearfully tells the nurse, "The doctor said my mother's organs are shutting down. How did that happen?" What is the nurse's best response?
1. "The infection attacks and destroys each organ, causing it to fail." 2. "Fever damages the brain, which controls all organs." 3. "Deprivation of oxygen during shock causes organs to fail to function properly." 4. "The stress of illness has overwhelmed your loved one."
The home care nurse visits a client with compromised lung function. She has greenish-yellow sputum with a musty odor. This is indicative of:
A) allergy. B) congestive heart failure. C) asthma. D) infection.
The staff development instructor is planning a seminar on improving cultural sensitivity when providing patient care. What should the instructor include in this seminar? (Select all that apply.)
a. Information about different cultural groups b. Recognition that patient are unique and not defined by their culture c. Ways to enhance cultural assimilation in the health care environment d. The importance of nurses knowing information about their own cultural group e. Strategies to incorporate patients' cultural values and practices into the plan of care