NCLEX-PN

Central and Peripheral Nervous System Medical Emergencies 1.​ Cerebrovascular Accidents (Strokes) ●​ Description: Brain insult leading to disability or death. ●​ Signs and Symptoms: Vary by location and severity, including dysphagia, vision changes, personality changes, sensory and motor deficits, ataxia, and altered consciousness. ●​ Interventions and Treatments: Thrombolytics, oxygen, antihypertensives, anticonvulsants, intubation, and mechanical ventilation. ●​ Complications: Seizures, increased intracranial pressure, inflammatory encephalitis, and death. 2.​ Guillain-Barré Syndrome ●​ Description: Acquired inflammatory condition, often due to Campylobacter jejuni infection, leading to peripheral nerve demyelination. ●​ Signs and Symptoms: Pain, paresthesia, numbness, diaphoresis, bilateral ascending paralysis, absent deep tendon reflexes, high cerebrospinal fluid protein, and autonomic changes. ●​ Interventions and Treatments: Focus on preventing respiratory failure, ABCs, ACLS protocols, intubation, oxygen, mechanical ventilation, and long-term restorative care. ●​ Complications: Respiratory distress, respiratory arrest, coma, and death. 3.​ Meningitis ●​ Description: Inflammation of the meninges and cerebrospinal fluid, often caused by various pathogens. ●​ Signs and Symptoms: Nuchal rigidity, mental status changes, Brudzinski's sign, Kernig's sign, fever, headache, purpural/petechial rash, arching of the back, seizures, photophobia, and bulging fontanels in infants. ●​ Interventions and Treatments: Seizure precautions, neurologic monitoring, maintaining a quiet environment, antibiotics, antipyretics, and fluid replacement. ●​ Complications: Permanent cerebral damage and death. 4.​ Encephalitis ●​ Description: Inflammation of cerebral tissue, often due to viruses. ●​ Signs and Symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, fever, headache, altered neurological function, weakness, disorientation, seizures, and behavioral changes.

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