...Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Abstract Subarachnoid hemorrhages are more common than the public realizes. Asubarachnoid hemorrhageis a hemorrhage into the cerebrospinal fluid-filled space between the arachnoid and pia membranes on the surface of the brain.Trauma is the most common cause of subarachnoid hemorrhage. Some causes are vehicle accidents, aneurisms, sports, and falls. Some signs and symptoms of subarachnoid hemorrhage include headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, slurred speech, impaired consciousness, loss of consciousness, and seizures. There are various ways of diagnosing subarachnoid hemorrhages among these are MRI, LP, and CT scans. Once discovered a subarachnoid hemorrhage needs to be treated right away. The most important part of treatment is time. The patient’s body must be allowed to attempt to heal on its own. If the hemorrhage does not stop on its own within 24 hours, surgery will be required. People who are conscious and demonstrate few neurologic symptoms when they reach medical help have the best outcome. There are many long term conditions that the individual will have to live with upon survival from fatigue to living in a vegetative state. Traumatic brain injury is the leading cause of subarachnoid hemorrhages, so it follows that efforts to prevent head injury would prevent these hemorrhages. A subarachnoid hemorrhage is a hemorrhage into the cerebrospinal fluid-filled space between the arachnoid and pia membranes on the surface of the brain. The hemorrhage...
Words: 971 - Pages: 4
...Traumatic Brain Injury WUT2 Task Western Governors University A. Investigated Disease Process The disease process I will be reviewing is traumatic brain injuries. A traumatic brain injury occurs when sudden trauma occurs to an individual’s brain. Traumatic brain injuries are considered closed or penetrating. Traumatic brain injuries are categorized as mild, moderate or severe based on the amount of damage that occurs to the brain. (ninds.nih.gov, 2015) A1. Pathophysiology To understand traumatic brain injuries, we must first discuss the numerous causes of brain injury. When injury occurs to the brain, the patient encounters the primary injury that is directly related and occurs at the time of the injury. Secondary injury occurs as a result of the primary injury but often leads to a more significant sequela based on the type of initial trauma. Non penetrating injuries to the cranium that lead to traumatic brain injuries are not always related to direct blows of the cranium. Rapid acceleration and deceleration injuries along with compression injuries may lead to traumatic brain injuries. This type of injuries can lead to injuries to the brain tissue that could include compression, stretching and shearing injuries to the brain tissue. These type of injuries are classified as “diffuse axonal injuries”. Diffuse axonal injuries are one of the most common and extensive types of traumatic brain injuries. These injuries often lead to death or severe irreversible...
Words: 7620 - Pages: 31
...Stroke Introduction The brain is disputably the most complex organ in our body. The tissues in the body compose the main nerve center of the body. These tissues coordinate all of our body functions, including our behavior, thought and our emotions. The brain is a very hardworking organ and it requires continuous supplies of oxygen and nutrients from the blood for it to function properly. The heart pumps blood throughout the cerebral arteries, sending blood to the brain. A disturbance to this supply of nutrients and oxygen will destroy the brain cells. Destruction of brain cells occurs immediately upon the interruption or even substantial restriction of blood flow to the brain. The minor damages to any part of the brain can cause a serious negative...
Words: 1714 - Pages: 7
...takes on the victim and the victim’s life. However, what remains unclear to most families is exactly what the condition is and what causes it. To gain better knowledge and understanding of the disease called stroke, one must be familiar with how it is caused, its forms, symptoms, facilitators, how it is diagnosed, treated, and prevented. By definition, a stroke is a condition where a blood clot or ruptured artery or blood vessel blocks the flow of blood to a specific area of the brain. It is a lack of flowing oxygen and glucose to the brain that leads to the deterioration of brain cells and the start of brain damage, thus resulting in the person developing speech impairment, memory, and movement. There are two main categories in which strokes are classified, ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. The ischemic stroke is what accounts for seventy-five percent of all cases of strokes. In this condition, a blood clot, or thrombus, forms and blocks the flow of blood to the part of the brain where it is needed. Adversely, if a clot should form elsewhere in the body and breaks off to become free-floating, it is then referred to as an embolus. This clot may then be carried throughout the bloodstream and directly to the...
Words: 1366 - Pages: 6
...External Ventricular Drainage Intracranial pressure refers to the pressure exerted by the brain, blood and cerebrospinal fluid in the skull. The normal range for ICP measurement is 0-15 mmHg. The cerebral perfusion pressure indirectly reflects the adequacy of cerebral blood flow. The CPP is derived by a mathematical calculation subtracting ICP from the mean arterial pressure (MAP). The normal range for adults is approximately 60-100 mmHg or a mean of 80 mmHg. The optimal CPP for a given patient depends on the clinical condition. Clinical conditions that frequently result in an increased ICP are traumatic brain injury, subarachnoid hemorrhage, intraparenchymal hemorrhage, brain tumor, meningitis and hydrocephalus. Increasing ICP causes decrease CPP, impaired autoregulation, hypotension, hypoxemia, cerebral ischemia, hypercarbia, hyperthermia and hypo/hyperglycemia. The goal of care is to prevent the secondary brain injury that results from increased ICP. An EVD (external ventricular drain) may be indicated in these cases. It is considered the most accurate ICP monitor while allowing for drainage of CSF. The procedure to place drain may be performed at the bedside under sterile conditions or in the OR. Nursing Considerations * Obtain pre procedure assessment to provide baseline data including vital signs, LOC, sensation and motor function, cranial nerve function and mental status. * Obtain...
Words: 548 - Pages: 3
...Biopsychology Click Link Below To Buy: http://hwaid.com/shop/psyc325-week-5-quiz-4/ Question 1 of 12 1.0/ 1.0 Points Cerebral ischemia is A.a condition characterized by cancerous brain tumors. B.a type of cerebral hemorrhage. C.a shortage of blood to the brain. D.an area of brain damage. Question 2 of 12 1.0/ 1.0 Points Which of the following is a correct statement about medial temporal lobe amnesics? They often have A.medial temporal lobe pathology. B.no ability to form long-term semantic memories. C.a profile of mnemonic deficits similar to that of H.M. D.both A and C Question 3 of 12 1.0/ 1.0 Points H.M. showed no long-term retention on the A.digit-span +1 test. B.mirror-drawing test. C.rotary-pursuit test. D.incomplete pictures test. Question 4 of 12 0.0/ 1.0 Points One major difference between the amnesia associated with advanced Korsakoff's syndrome and that associated with bilateral medial temporal lobe damage is that patients with advanced Korsakoff's syndrome have A.a retrograde amnesia that can extend back into childhood. B.a mild retrograde amnesia for recent events. C.deficits in consolidation. D.anterograde amnesia. Question 5 of 12 1.0/ 1.0 Points Damage to the brains of Alzheimer’s patients is often apparent in the A.medial temporal lobe structures. B.basal forebrain. C.prefrontal cortex. D.all of the above Question 6 of 12 1.0/...
Words: 559 - Pages: 3
...June 25, 2012 was the day that changed my life forever. I was awakened around 1:00am by the most horrific noise coming from my husband, Jeff. He was having the most violent seizure I had ever witnessed. I started shaking him and screaming his name in hopes that he would snap out of it, but he remained unresponsive. My hands were shaking so much that I could barely dial 911 for help. It seemed like it took forever for the EMTs to arrive. They immediately began to try and stabilize him but all of their efforts fell short so their focus shifted to getting him to a hospital. It took about forty-five minutes to get him loaded onto a gurney for transport to Trident Regional Medical Center, the closest hospital. Jeff was still seizing when they left in the ambulance. I arrived at the hospital around 2:30am and was informed that the doctor(s) were trying to stabilize Jeff so they could run some tests and scans to try and figure out what was wrong. I decided to call Jeff’s brother, Greg, and let him know what was going on. Greg left work immediately and came to the hospital along with Malinda, their sister. We were summoned to a small, private room where we were greeted not by a doctor, but the hospital chaplain. As he began to talk, my heart sank. Why was he there and not a doctor? He was asking me question after question, but I could not answer him. I finally looked up at him and all I could say was that I wanted to talk to a doctor and that he could leave right then. By this point...
Words: 1619 - Pages: 7
...CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION A. Background of the study According to Jordan, childbearing is universally treated as a life crisis event. In most societies birth and the immediate post partum period are considered a time of vulnerability for mother and child. It is a time of ritual danger for the entire family. Most societies tend to have certain sets of practices and beliefs in childbirth. Practices and beliefs of each society have common goals namely, the maintenance of well-being and preservation of life of a new mother and her newborn. Confinement is the period after the birth and is perceived as a critical condition for a mother. At this period, women are considered to be in a weakened state due to the loss of blood during the delivery of the baby. Because a woman is weak, she is susceptible to all sorts of all illnesses and diseases. Therefore, there are a number of cultural practices which must be observed in order to gain strength and to avoid illness.[i] The puerperium is a time of great change which spans a period of transition from the pinnacle of experience of birth to the assumption of the joys and responsibilities of family life. Well-integrated post-natal care has an important role to play in assisting this transition and launching the family in their new life together. The puerperium is a period of 6 weeks which begins as soon as the placenta has been expelled. During this time a number of physiological and psychological changes take place: ...
Words: 3648 - Pages: 15
...Abusive head trauma (AHT), also called shaken baby syndrome, is a traumatic brain injury to a child as a result of child abuse. Shaking as well as throwing a baby constitutes AHT. When a caretaker forcefully shakes a baby, his or her head muscles will rotate in a circular motion as their head whips back and forth. Impact is especially damaging because the fast acceleration and deceleration is very dangerous and causes blood vessels to rupture, tearing in the brain, and bleeding of the brain. AHT is the most common cause of traumatic brain injury in infants. Around 25% of victims die from AHT. Infants are at a high risk of AHT due to their large head size relative to the rest of their body and their inability to support their head with their...
Words: 1349 - Pages: 6
...Unit 1 Case Study F.C. is a 54-year-old man with a history of chronic heavy alcohol use. He has frequent bouts of gastrointestinal bleeding for which he has been hospitalized on six separate occasions over the years. He continues to drink and exhibits most of the common manifestations of alcoholic cirrhosis. He was recently hit by a car and was hospitalized for a broken leg. He appeared to be under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident and had a blood alcohol level of 0.18. F.C.’s family reports that his mental functioning has deteriorated significantly over the past few months. Discussion Questions 1. What are the common manifestations of alcoholic cirrhosis? Which of these are secondary to hepatocellular failure? Which are secondary to portal hypertension? - The effects of alcohol depend on the level of alcohol consumption and how long the person has been drinking alcohol as well. Common manifestations of alcoholic cirrhosis vary however jaundice, vomiting, fever, nausea and portal hypertension are the most common symptoms. Jaundice is a symptom that is secondary to hepatocellular failure. When jaundice occurs, the bilirubin metabolic cycle is impaired due to the breakdown of cells within the liver tissue. The destruction of these cells enables bilirubin to decrease and not be inherited correctly. Portal hypertension is caused cirrhosis. Vascular resistance and blood flow play an essential role in the development. The complication arises as a massive...
Words: 637 - Pages: 3
...Abstract The brain is the most complex organ in the body. It is hard to study, but there have been many ways that have been developed for doctors to study and identify different areas of the brain. Each area of the brain serves a different purpose whether it be to help us remember something from years ago, or help us retain new information. Either way, the brain is constantly being analyzed so that we can continue learning about how our brain works to perceive things in our environment, how we can use different devices to measure activity in the brain, and how these devices can assist in medical practices to help others. Imagery and the Brain The brain must be one of the most interesting organs in...
Words: 1384 - Pages: 6
...Case Study James Morasco College of Southern Nevada – Nursing 211 Clinical Professor Judith Alewel, MSN, RN October 15, 2012 Introduction AV is a 57 year old male whom presented to the Emergency Department of Valley Hospital Medical Center in Las Vegas, NV on September 7, 2012 with the classic signs and symptoms of a left-sided middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarct and was admitted to the medical intensive care unit (MICU). These signs included left sided facial drooping, non-reactive left pupil, right sided weakness in the upper and lower extremities, and the inability to speak. Along with the signs and symptoms of the stroke, a 12-lead EKG revealed that he also has atrial fibrillation. The initial computerized tomography (CT) scan of his brain revealed nothing, but a subsequent MRA (magnetic resonance angiogram) concluded that he did, in fact, have an occluded branch of the left MCA that eventually converted to become hemorrhagic and he was admitted to the MICU. The MRA also found a persistent left trigeminal artery, which is insignificant to his presenting disease process. Along with all of this, a two dimensional echocardiogram revealed some significant hearts problems that will be discussed later. I cared for this patient during the clinical shift on September 18, 2012. History and Physical The only history and physical that was available in this patient’s chart was some narrative comments from his daughter notated by the physician, and this is most likely due to...
Words: 4902 - Pages: 20
...Andres Franco September 27th, 2010 Research Essay Can concussions affect brain function? The question whether concussions can affect brain function has been asked for years. Only recently medical researchers and scientists have found the answers to why concussions can affect the brain severely. Not only have they examined pro sport stars that have died due to concussions but also serial killers who have died or who are still in prison. Many pro football players suffer from concussions the most, since they do play head-on; the ones who have died from other natural deaths were examined. Some serial killers have also agreed to have their brain looked at for irregular brain function, and in both players and killers, there were either undeveloped frontal lobes or damaged frontal lobes. This was the answer they’ve been looking for not only to keep players safe that play pro sports, but to maybe save people from being a victim of homicide. Pro wrestler Chris Benoit suffered brain damage from his years in the ring and getting hit by metal chairs, rails, stairs, and even baseball bats. Maybe that could help explain why he killed his wife, son and also himself. A doctor who studied Benoit’s brain found out that his frontal lobe was damaged. Chris Benoit was a family man and everyone who knew him apart from wrestling, knew that that was most important to him. When he wasn’t wrestling he was with his family. In the ring he wasn’t so nice and his opponents weren’t either so they hit...
Words: 1184 - Pages: 5
...Coronary Heat Disease Health 11 LATTC 11/20/10 Coronary Heart Disease, chronic illness in which the coronary arteries, the vessels that supply oxygen-carrying blood to the heart, become narrowed and unable to carry a normal amount of blood. Most often, the coronary arteries become narrowed because of atherosclerosis, a process in which fatty deposits called plaque build up on the inside wall of an artery (see Arteriosclerosis). Plaque is made of oily molecules known as cholesterol, fibrous proteins, calcium deposits, tiny blood cells known as platelets, and debris from dead cells. Plaque formation often begins in adolescence and progresses very slowly over the course of decades. Gradually, the growing plaque thickens the wall of the artery, reducing the space for blood to flow through. According to the American Heart Association, in 2009 heart disease affected people as follows: • A person’s death occurs every 34 seconds due to heart disease in the United States. • In the US a person dies of heart attack every 20 seconds. • About 2,500 American die due to heart attacks. • Around 250,000 die due to heart attack before they reach a hospital in the US. • Those below the average level of education suffer from heart attacks more. • The following countries are known for higher death rates due to heart disease. Romania, Bulgaria, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary and the Soviet Union. • About 6 million hospitalizations take place each year in the US on account of cardiovascular...
Words: 1166 - Pages: 5
...of the nose and below the brain’s base near the optic nerves. Maya and Pressman (2010) add that the pituitary gland is the most important part of the system because it produces hormones controlling the functions of other endocrine glands. The most common problem occurring in the pituitary gland is the development of a benign growth or tumor. The tumor causes the gland to secrete excess hormone, blocks its production or causes it to malfunction. Other causes of pituitary disorders include traumatic brain injury and pituitary infarction. Although pituitary disorder are able to alter quality of a person’s life significantly, medical or surgical treatment is available where efficient diagnosis is made. The present study investigates the role of imaging modalities in the evaluation of pituitary gland disorders. Particular emphasis is laid on the role of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in diagnosing the pituitary gland. Anatomy of the pituitary gland The sellar region of the brain is anatomically complex being bounded by sinus arteroinferiorly, the brainstem posterioly, the dorsum sella, the hypothalamic sellae, the suprasella, and the cavernous sinuses laterally (Drouin, 2010). The hypothelamus consists of a layer of tissue that extends from the...
Words: 3420 - Pages: 14
