NUR 634 Topic 9 DQ 1

Discussion: Select one neurological condition or disorder.

NUR 634 Topic 9 DQ 1 Assessment Description

Select one neurological condition or disorder. Then complete the following:

Briefly discuss the condition/disorder.

Describe the symptoms and physical exam findings associated with the condition/disorder.

Identify appropriate laboratory, imaging, and other diagnostic/screening tools that apply to the disorder and explain how they will help you with your diagnosis.

List two other conditions that could cause a similar presentation (differential diagnoses) and explain how you would “rule out” those differentials.

Support your description with a minimum of two APRN-approved scholarly resources. You may not select a condition or disorder that has already been profiled by another learner; you must select a different one.

American Association of Colleges of Nursing Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education

This assignment aligns to AACN Core Competencies 1.2, 1.3.

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NUR 634 Topic 9 DQ 1 Sample

Cerebral edema is a condition characterized by pathologic accumulation of excess fluid in the intracellular and extracellular cerebral tissue. The condition is characterized by elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) due to a rigid cranial vault that limits the expansion of edematous cerebral tissue (Cook et al., 2020). The edema can be generalized or localized, with generalized cerebral edema having a higher mortality rate due to the risk of medulla herniation. The most common causes of cerebral edema include traumatic brain injury (TBI), cerebrovascular accidents (CVA), and infections.

Most patients with cerebral edema present with persistent and worsening headaches associated with altered levels of consciousness characterized by disorientation and confusion. In addition, they also experience blurring of vision, nausea, vomiting, and drowsiness. Some patients may also have seizures due to cerebral nerve irritation. NUR 634 Topic 9 DQ 1 On examination, the Glasgow Coma Scale for most patients is 8/15 (Liotta, 2021). The eye examination may also reveal dilated pupils unresponsive to light. Altered levels of sensation to touch and proprioception may also be a common sensory examination finding. Examination findings of hypertension, bradycardia, and irregular breathing that form the Cushing’s triad are often poor prognoses of worsening ICP due to cerebral edema.

Computerized tomography (CT) or magnetic resonant imaging (MRI) is crucial as the diagnostic test for cerebral edema. The two tests can also identify the underlying cranial lesion that may have caused the edema and the extent and areas affected by the edema (Cook et al., 2020). Additionally, laboratory tests such as urea, electrolytes, and creatinine, liver function tests, toxicology screens, and arterial blood gases are crucial in monitoring the patient’s status. A lumbar puncture is done when increased ICP is absent to exclude infections. Patients with TBI, such as epidural and subdural hemorrhage or CVA, may present with similar symptoms and examination findings to cerebral edema (Kareemi et al., 2023). As a result, a CT or MRI is crucial in excluding the two differential diagnoses.

NUR 634 Topic 9 DQ 1 References

Cook, A. M., Jones, G. M., J. Hawryluk, G. W., Mailloux, P., McLaughlin, D., Papangelou, A., Samuel, S., Tokumaru, S., Venkatasubramanian, C., Zacko, C., Zimmermann, L. L., Hirsch, K., & Shutter, L. (2020). Guidelines for the Acute Treatment of Cerebral Edema in Neurocritical Care Patients. Neurocritical Care, 32(3), 647-666. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12028-020-00959-7

Kareemi, H., Pratte, M., English, S., & Hendin, A. (2023). Initial Diagnosis and Management of Acutely Elevated Intracranial Pressure. Journal of Intensive Care Medicine, 38(7), 643-650. https://doi.org/10.1177/08850666231156589

Liotta E. M. (2021). Management of Cerebral Edema, Brain Compression, and Intracranial Pressure. Continuum (Minneapolis, Minn.), 27(5), 1172–1200. https://doi.org/10.1212/CON.0000000000000988 NUR 634 Topic 9 DQ 1