I. Definition
Cholelithiasis
• Refers to formation of calculi (e.g. gallstones) in the gallbladder. Read More »
I. Definition
• Portal hypertension is elevated pressure in the portal vein associated with increased resistance to blood flow through the portal venous system. Read More »
I. Definition
• Bleeding esophageal varices are hemorrhagic processes involving dialted, tortuous veins in the submucosa of the lower esophagus. . Read More »
I. Definition
• Acute pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas ranging from a relatively mild, self-limiting disorder to rapidly fatal, acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis. Read More »
I. Definition
• Herpes zoster (i.e. shingles) is an acute viral infection marked by painful vesicular skin eruptions. Read More »
I. Definition and Risk factors
Tinea pedis
• Is a fungal infection of feet known as athlete’s foot, especially in those who use communal showers or swimming pools. Read More »
I. Definition and Risk factors
Burns are skin injuries resulting from heat, electric current, chemicals, friction, or excessive sunlight exposure. Based on the standard depth of injury classification, burns are first, second, or third degrees. The following must be considered when determining depth of burn: Read More »
I. Definition
• Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease marked by epidermal proliferation. Read More »
I. Definition and Risk factors
Impetigo
• Is a superficial skin infection caused by streptococci, staphylococci, or multiple bacteria. It is especially common among children living in poor hygienic conditions. Read More »
I. Definition and Risk factors
Pediculosis.
Infestation by lice, involves three different parasites:
• Pediculosis humanus capitis (head louse)
• Pediculosis humanus corporis (body louse)
• Phthirus pubis (pubic or crab louse)
Scabies
• Involves infestation by the itch mite, Sarcoptes scabiei. Read More »
I. Definition
• Acne vulgaris is an inflammatory disease of the sebaceous follicles. Read More »
I. Definition
• Meniere’s disease is a chronic disorder of the inner ear involving sensorineural hearing loss, severe vertigo and tinnitus. Read More »
I. Definition
• Macular degeneration is largely an age-related disease process whereby central vision gradually deteriorates. Read More »
I. Definition
• Glaucoma is characterized by abnormally elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), which can damage the optic nerve.
Read More »
I. Definition
• Conjunctivitis is the inflammation of conjunctiva. Read More »
I. Definition
• Retinal detachment is a separation of the retina from the choroid in the posterior eye. Read More »
I. Definition
• Cataract formation is a gradual, progressive opacity of the lens or lens capsule that leads to visual loss. Read More »
Description and Etiology
A. Central canal stenosis
The normally triangular-shaped spinal canal becomes flattened, compressing the thecal sac. As it progresses, the cauda equine is compressed. This can be caused by any of the following, or any combination of the following:
• facet hypertrophy
• thickening and bulging of the ligament flava
• outward disc bulging
• disc degeneration
• spondylosis Read More »
Nursing Assessment, Intervention, and Monitoring
Preoperative
1. Surgical procedure2. Informed consent (obtained by surgeon)
3. Expected outcomes (postoperative and long term)
4. Required preoperative testing
5. Discontinuation of medications (e.g., herbal products, NSAIDs, anticoagulants, aspirin, warfarin, clopidogrel bisulfate) Read More »
Description and Etiology
Intervertebral disc herniation is also known as herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP). HNP may be asymptomatic despite radiographic evidence of bulging, protrusion, or extruded disc. The etiology may be either nonspecific or attributable to a precipitating event. Even when the patient is symptomatic, surgical intervention often is not required. An HNP may be symptomatic due to a combination of direct nerve root compression, the release of inflammatory chemicals (e.g., matrix metalloproteinases, prostaglandin E2, interleukin- 6, nitric oxide), and hypoxia of the nerve root and basal ganglion (Ireland, 2009). Radicular pain can be accompanied by paresthesias or paresis (i.e., weakness) in the anatomic distribution of the affected nerve root. The patient may complain of low back pain. The back or leg pain may be aggravated by coughing, sneezing, or assuming certain positions. Read More »
I. Definition
• This group of disorders involves disruption of blood supply to the brain. Read More »
I. Definition
• Increased intracranial pressure (ICP) is the result of the amount of brain tissue, intracranial blood volume, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the skull at any time. The normal ICP is 10 to 20 mmHg (Brunner, 2008) or 5 to 15 mmHg (Black, 2009) Read More »
I. Definition
This group of disorders involves disruption of blood supply to the brain.
Stroke
-Also known as cerebrovascular accident, is a sudden loss of brain function resulting from disruption of the blood supply to a part of the brain. The most common site of stroke is the middle cerebral artery.
Transient Ischemic Attack
-Is a transient or temporary episode of neurologic dysfunction caused by decreased blood supply to the brain. This disorder is considered a warning sign of stroke. The most common site of TIA is at the bifurcation of the common carotid artery. Read More »
I. Definition
• Parkinson’s disease is a slowly progressing neurologic movement disorder that eventually leads to disability. Read More »
I. Definition
• Huntington’s disease (also called Huntington’s chorea) is a rare abnormal hereditary disorder of the CNS. It is characterized by chronic progressive chorea (involuntary purposeless, rapid movements) and mental deterioration that results in dementia. Read More »
I. Definition
• Bell’s palsy is a disorder of the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII) producing unilateral facial paresis or paralysis. It affects all age groups but is most prevalent in persons younger than age 60.
• In most clients, spontaneous recovery occurs within 3 to 5 weeks. Partial recovery may leave the client with facial contractures. Read More »
I. Definition
• Myastheania gravis is an autoimmune disorder affecting the myoneural junction, is characterized by varying degrees of weakness of the voluntary muscles. Read More »
I. Definition
Head trauma refers to direct or indirect impact to the head that produces some degree of brain injury.
Common types of head trauma include:
-Intracranial hemorrhage (i.e. epidural, subdural, or intracerebral hematoma) Read More »
I. Definition
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a disease of unknown cause in which there is a loss of motor neurons (nerve cells controlling muscles) in the anterior horns of the spinal cord and the motor nuclei of the lower brain stem.
• It is often referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Read More »
I. Definition
• Multiple Sclerosis is an immune-mediated, progressive demyelinating disease of the CNS. Demyelination refers to the destruction of myelin, the fatty and protein material that surrounds certain nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord, it results in impaired transmission of nerve impulses. Read More »
