Encephalitis
Encephalitis is a condition caused by viruses which cause the brain to become inflamed. There are two types of encephalitis one is called primary because the viruses affect the brain itself. Secondary is the viruses travel from some other part of the body that has been affect to the brain. When the virus reaches the brain it begins to multiply causing inflammation. The brain’s white matter can be destroyed. This destruction causes cell death, hemorrhage and edema. The edema begins to compress the blood vessels this causes intracranial pressure (Mayo Clinic, 2011).
Some of the viruses that cause encephalitis are arboviruses, cytomegalovirus, poliovirus, herpes zoster, and herpes simplex type 1. West Nile virus has been a big issue in the United States. West Nile is a very serious illness and can cause death or permanent disabilities. It is transmitted by mosquitos. “About one in 150 people infected with WNV will develop severe illness. Approximately 80 percent of people (about 4 out of 5) who are infected with WNV will not show any symptoms at all.” (CDC, 2006) Not all viruses are transmitted by a six legged creature. People can get viruses from blood products, breast milk, organ transplants, and/or many other ways. Herpes simplex type 1 is another virus that can cause encephalitis. Yet, herpes simplex type 1 encephalitis is very rare it can happen. The usual sign of herpes simplex type 1 is cold sores. When a person gets herpes simplex type 1 encephalitis it can cause death. The mortality rates are high but with hospitalization and IV antiviral medications it can be treated. HSV type 2 (HSV-2) more commonly causes genital herpes. “HSV-1 is the most important cause of fatal sporadic encephalitis in the United State...
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...is having seizures the nursing diagnosis could be “Ineffective airway clearance r/t seizure activity” (Ladwig, 2011), manifested by patient’s inability to breath during seizure. Also if the patient is in a lot of pain the nursing diagnosis could be; “Impaired comfort related to altered health status” (Ladwig, 2011), manifested by pain and inflammation in neck and upper back. There again could be many different nursing diagnoses depending on the condition the patient is in.
Encephalitis could be a very serious condition with overwhelming complication or it could be a mild condition with flu like symptoms. Yet, if the conditions are severe, hospitalization and/or rehabilitation may be needed. In some cases long term care may be the only option. Encephalitis can be avoided with protection from mosquitos and vaccinations from other viruses that causes the disease.
The framework of this model is utilized throughout hospital settings to form a basis for all nursing decisions in respect to nursing diagnosis, care plans, discharge planning, and quality assurance (Reynolds & Cormack, 1991). This conceptual model focuses on the effects of internal and external environments that contribute to someone’s behavior. Pain (being the internal force) in patients with altered mental status usually manifests externally in non-verbal cues. Nursing as the external force can use tools that focus on the non-verbal cues given by the patients to accurately assess the pain and properly treat it.
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) is a neurodegenerative disease attributed to single, sporadic, or repetitive brain trauma, including concussions and subconcussive hits (Baugh et al., 2012; Wortzel et al., 2013). This disease was originally referred to as dementia pugilistica, and nicknamed “punch drunk,” because individuals suffering from this disorder would present symptoms that were similar to someone’s mannerisms while being intoxicated (Wortzel et al., 2013). This “drunken” behavior is thought to be attributed to the cognitive, mood, and behavioral alterations as a result of the repetitive hits to the brain over an extended period of time. Because individuals suffering from this disease are often exposed to conditions that allow them to sustain blows to the head multiple times, the populations most often examined in these studies are athletes (football, boxing, rugby) and/or individuals in the military (McKee et al., 2009). Individuals can be symptom free for several years (Baugh et al., 2012). The onset of symptoms are sometimes seen about eight to ten years after an individual retires from their sport, which roughly equates to someone aged thirty to fifty yeas old (Baugh et al., 2012; Wortzel et al., 2013; Karantzoulis and Randolph, 2013). As with all diseases, symptoms can range from mild to severe. Researchers have found a positive correlation between the number of brain injuries sustained during a length of time playing a sport and the severity of symptoms (McKee et al., 2009).
numerous diseases in mammals, all of which target the brain specifically. Also note that all prion-based
At some point of life, virtually everyone experiences some types of pain. Despite the availability of standardized pain management methods such as using analgesics and opioids, patients might inadequately managed for pain if pain assessments are done inefficiently. Nurses are in a unique position to assess pain as they have the most contact with the child and their family in hospital. Getting a thorough pain assessment occasionally hard for nurses with the patients whom cannot collaborate. For example, pain in infants and children can be difficult to assess.
Meningitis is a disease caused by inflammation of the protective membrane of the brain and spinal cord, called the meninges. Usually meningitis is caused by either a bacteria or a virus, but in less common cases, meningitis can possibly be caused by certain medications or injuries. The most common way that meningitis is contracted is by bacteria or viruses that infect the body and spread from the bloodstream to the meninges by cerebrospinal fluid. Viral meningitis is more frequently seen and is not usually severe. In more serious cases, viral meningitis may cause prolonged fever or seizures. On the other hand, bacterial meningitis is very serious and must be treated immediately in order to prevent brain damage or even death. Both types of meningitis share the same symptoms which makes it very important to see a doctor to determine the severity of the disease. The severity of meningitis depends on a person's age, health, and also the cause. Meningitis can range from very mild to very severe. The likely hood of death is highest in someone who suffered a seizure in the first 24 hours, ...
Meningitis is an infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. It is common in babies, children, teenagers and young adults. It can cause blood poisoning and affect the brain and nerves. Viral meningitis can make you very sick, but it often doesn’t leave lingering effects. Bacterial meningitis is more serious. It progresses rapidly and can cause permanent damage or even become life-threatening. Stiff neck and back are common in meningitis. It may become difficult to turn your neck at all. In severe cases, the head, neck, and spine become painfully rigid and arched (opisthotonos). Babies and young children are more likely to experience opisthotonos than older people. A baby with meningitis may produce a high-pitched
Spark Ralph, S. & Taylor, C. M. (2011). Nursing diagnosis reference manual (8th ed.). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Epilepsy is a very common neurological disorder. Some reports estimate that five in one-thousand people suffer from this problem. Throughout history, people with epilepsy have been shunned or considered inferior. Even today, ignorance leads many people to treat the epileptic as "abnormal" or "retarded". Although the etiology of epilepsy is still not fully understood, it is quite treatable due to advances in modern medicine.
Epilepsy is a condition characterized by recurrent seizures which are unprovoked by any immediately identifiable cause (Hopkins & Shorvon, 1995). It is also known as a seizure disorder. A wide range of links and risk factors are associated with the condition, but most of the time the cause is unknown. Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders, affecting approximately two and half million people in the US and about 50 million worldwide. Though seizures can occur at any age, epilepsy is most commonly seen in children and the elderly. Most respond well to treatment and can control their seizures, but for some it is a chronic illness. A clinical diagnosis is the first step to finding a potential cure for the disorder.
Stage II of Lyme disease is known as the disseminated Lyme disease. Lyme disease is a multisystem targeted disease. During this phase, cardiovascular system and central nervous system is significantly affected. The Inflammation level dramatically increases during that stages of the infection, and the longer it goes unchecked it leads to tissue damage, further leading to myocarditis (heart inflammation), meningoencephalitis (inflammation of membrane of the brain and cerebral tissue) and polyradiculitis (inflammation of nerve root connected to CNS). Research has shown that during this phase symptoms from phase one still occur, if not worse. Such as the flu-like symptoms of joint pain, stiff neck, headache, fever, swollen lymph, fatigued and
How a history of eating human brains protected this tribe from brain disease, article written by Sarah Kaplan
Meningitis is a disease caused by the inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord known as “meninges”. The inflammation is usually caused by an infection of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. There are several types of meningitis. The most common is viral meningitis, which you get when virus enters the body through the nose or mouth and travel to the brain. Bacterial meningitis is rare, but can be deadly. It usually starts with bacteria that cause a cold-like infection. It can block blood vessels in the brain and lead to stroke and brain damage. It can also harm other organs. Anyone can get meningitis, but it is more common in people whose bodies have trouble fighting infections. “Meningitis is a potentially life-threatening infection of the meninges, the tough layer of tissue that surrounds the brain and spinal cord” (Mayoclinic.com). If the meningitis cannot treat properly lead to brain swelling and cause permanent disability, coma, and even death.
St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Ackley, B.J., Ladwig, G.B., & Flynn Makic, M. (2017). Nursing diagnosis handbook (11th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier University.
Gordon, M. (2007). Manual of nursing diagnosis: including all diagnostic categories approved by the North American Nursing Diagnosis Association (11th ed.). Sudbury, Massachusetts: Jones and Bartlett.
A nursing diagnosis is not the equivalent of a medical diagnosis; however, a nursing diagnosis can be used to formulate an intervention for the patient. A nursing diagnosis includes stating the problem, the cause, and signs and symptoms seen in the patient. For example, a patient may have been given the medical diagnosis of COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), but this cannot be given as a nursing diagnosis. The proper nursing diagnosis would be: Ineffective airway clearance, related to excessive thick secretions as evidenced by coughing, gagging, and mucous. This type of diagnosis tells of an issue the nurse can solve or treat themselves using their own knowledge of the