Week 7

Parts of the diencephalon

* thalamus
* hypothalamus
* epithalamus

Types of nervous systems

CNS: central nervous system

PNS: peripheral nervous system

rhythmic shaking

tremors associated with Parkinson’s disease

shortening of the vertebral column

causes a decrease in height with aging

osteoarthritis

pain is aggravated by activties

rheumatoid arthritis

pain is improved by doing activities

Fever

is the symptom the nurse should detect for risk of developing osteomyelitis with a patient with an open metacarpal fracture

abduction

moving away form the body

adduction

moving toward the center of the body

risk factors for osteoporosis

* sedentary lifestyle
* no exercise

Phalens test for positive carpal tunnel syndrome

client is asked to hold the wrist 90degree flexion for 60sec

* + carpal tunnel: tingling sensation and numbness over media nerve, palmar surface of the thumb, index finger, middle finger, part of the ring finger, pain in the lower arm, upper arm, shoulders, neck, and chest

Tinel test

direct percussion on the media nerve

* normal findings: no pain or tingling sensation of the arm and surrounding the media nerve

inability to abduct the arm at the shoulder level

* indicates rotator cuff injury

brachioradialis reflex

tapping directly with the flat end of the DTR hammer 2-3in above the wrist with palms in semi prone position

Bicep reflex

elicited when tapping indirectly by tapping on your thumb with the pointed end of the DTR hammer at the antecubital area of teh arm with the palm in semiprone position

ataxia

poor coordination of movement

* seen when client has difficulty ambulating due to unsteady gait with wide base slapping and swaying
* common in:
* multiple sclerosis and drug and ETOH intoxication

\

graphesthesia

when the nurse draws a letter on the clients hand and asks patient to identify the letter with their eyes closed

* 2 point discrimination
* inablitlity to indentify or indicate cortical disease

stereognosis

when client is asked to identify a familiar object placed in their hands with their eyes closed

* inability to identify objects may indicated cortical diseases

Babinski sign

fanning of the toes and flexion of the foot

* normal for children up to 2 yrs old
* after age 2, perform plantar reflex
* abnormal response: may indicate CNS pathology of upper neuron diseases

plantar reflex

curling of the toes

crepitiation

assessing for crunching and grading sound of the joints as well as stiffness and pain in the joints

When caring for a client with t4 spinal injury what is the indication that the clien is at risk for experiencing autonomic dysreflexia?

the clients bladder becomes distended

objective findings for meningitis

* fever
* irritablitlity
* vomiting
* seizure
* coma

Myocardial infarction (MI)

* persistent/ continuous pain for 15 min
* will not be relieved by nitro
* may radiate to the periphery
* complete blockage of blood to the heart
* can lead to death
* accompanied by
* hypotension
* weak/rapid pulse
* low-grade fever
* fatal

Angina

* transient pain
* lasts no more than 15 mins, 3-5 mins at a time
* relieved by nitro
* starts centrally but can radiate to the periphery
* not fatal
* does not damage the heart