Neurologic Disorders NCLEX Study Notes

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering priority nursing interventions, key assessment findings, and medication guidelines for neurologic disorders.

Cervical fusion

A surgical procedure commonly performed to stabilize the spine and protect the spinal cord when instability or severe compression creates risk of neurologic injury.

Log-rolling

A positioning technique used post-operatively after spinal surgery to avoid excessive spinal movement.

Transient ischemic attack (TIA)

A temporary interruption of cerebral blood flow that causes stroke-like neurologic symptoms that resolve, serving as an urgent warning sign for stroke.

Ischemic stroke

A type of stroke caused by vessel blockage resulting in decreased cerebral perfusion.

Hemorrhagic stroke

A type of stroke caused by bleeding into or around the brain, which can result from aneurysm rupture, severe hypertension, or arteriovenous malformation (AVM).

Thrombotic stroke

A type of ischemic stroke where a clot forms directly at the site of occlusion.

Embolic stroke

A type of ischemic stroke where a clot or material travels from elsewhere to occlude a cerebral vessel.

Last known normal (LKN)

The precise time determined during stroke assessment corresponding to when the client was last known to be symptom-free prior to sleep or onset of symptoms.

Left hemisphere stroke findings

Neurologic deficits commonly associated with speech and language impairment, mathematics difficulties, and analytic problems.

Right hemisphere stroke findings

Neurologic deficits commonly associated with visual-spatial awareness deficits, body-position awareness/proprioception issues, and cognition or orientation problems.

Hemianopsia

Visual field loss that creates a safety and fall risk, requiring the client to scan the environment from side to side.

Alteplase (tPA)

A thrombolytic medication administered to eligible acute ischemic stroke patients within an appropriate treatment window to restore cerebral perfusion.

Expected Intracranial Pressure (ICP)

The normal pressure range within the skull, measured at approximately $10-15\,\text{mmHg}$.

Decline in level of consciousness (LOC)

The earliest key assessment sign indicating increased intracranial pressure (ICP).

Midline shift

Displacement of brain structure evident on imaging, where continued displacement can progress to downward brain herniation.

Hypercarbia

Elevated carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) levels in the blood that act to increase intracranial pressure.

Coup injury

Brain injury occurring directly at the initial impact site during traumatic brain injury.

Contrecoup injury

Brain injury occurring on the side opposite the initial impact as the brain rebounds within the skull from acceleration–deceleration forces.

Subdural hematoma

A slow-developing intracranial bleed following trauma, with risk factors including older age/brain atrophy, chronic alcohol use, anticoagulant therapy, and head trauma/falls.

Early-stage Alzheimer's disease

Stage characterized by short-term memory impairment, difficulty recalling new information, mild cognitive/judgment changes, while maintaining general independence with ADLs.

Moderate-stage Alzheimer's disease

Stage characterized by depression/agitation, disorientation to time/place/event, wandering, sleep disruption/sundowning, and difficulty managing finances.

Late-stage Alzheimer's disease

Stage characterized by severe cognitive impairment, major communication loss, complete dependence, and often being bedridden or incapacitated.

Reality orientation

A communication strategy generally appropriate for clients in the early stage of Alzheimer's disease.

Validation

A communication approach recommended in later stages of Alzheimer's disease rather than arguing or repeatedly correcting the patient's reality.

Cholinesterase inhibitors

Medications such as donepezil used in Alzheimer's disease to treat symptoms and slow cognitive decline; requires monitoring for bradycardia, dizziness, and falls.

Memantine

An NMDA receptor antagonist used in moderate-to-severe Alzheimer's disease to slow symptom progression.

Parkinson's disease

A neurodegenerative disorder associated with decreased dopamine and impaired voluntary motor control, defined by four cardinal features: tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia/akinesia, and postural instability.

Hydantoins

A class of antiseizure medications, including phenytoin and fosphenytoin, that require good oral hygiene due to the adverse effect of gingival hyperplasia.

Meningitis

Inflammation of the meninges that can increase intracranial pressure and requires monitoring for neurologic deterioration and signs of increased ICP.