MENINGITIS CARE MENINGITIS

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MENINGITIS CARE MENINGITIS Posted: 13 Jul 2010 08:50 PM PDT a. Definition. Meningitis is inflammation of the meninges. The severity of the disease is dependent upon the specific microorganism involved, the presence of other neurological disorders, the general health of the patient, the speed of diagnosis, and the initiation of treatment. b. Causes of Meningitis. (1) Travel of infectious microorganisms to the meninges via the bloodstream or through direct extension from an infected area (such as the middle ear or paranasal sinuses). Common microorganisms include: (a) Meningococcus. (b) Streptococcus. (c) Staphylococcus. (d) Pneumococcus. (2) Contaminated head injury. 3) Infected shunt. (4) Contaminated lumbar puncture. c. Diagnostic Evaluation Techniques. (1) Lumbar puncture to identify the causative organism in the cerebrospinal fluid. (2) Blood cultures. (3) Physical examination. d. Signs and Symptoms. (1) Elevated temperature. (2) Chills. (3) Headache (often severe). (4) Nausea, vomiting. (5) Nuchal rigidity (stiffness of the neck). (6) Photophobia. (7) Opisthotonos (extreme hyperextension of the head and arching of the back due to irritation of the meninges). (8) Altered level of consciousness. (9) Multiple petechiae on the body. e. Nursing Management. (1) Administer intravenous fluids and medications, as ordered by the physician. (a) Antibiotics should be started immediately. (b) Corticostertoids may be used for the critically ill patient. (c) Drug therapy may be continued after the acute phase of the illness is over to prevent recurrence. (d) Record intake and output carefully and observe patient closely for signs of dehydration due to insensible fluid loss. (2) Monitor patient’s vital signs and neurological status and record. (a) Level of consciousness. Utilize GCS for accuracy and consistency. (b) Monitor rectal temperature at least every 4 hours and, if elevated, provide for cooling measures such as a cooling mattress, cooling sponge baths, and administration of ordered antipyretics. (3) If isolation measures are required, inform family members and ensure staff compliance of isolation procedures in accordance with (IAW) standard operating procedures (SOP). (4) Provide basic patient care needs. (a) The patient’s level of consciousness will dictate whether the patient requires only assistance with activities of daily living or total care. If patient is not fully conscious, follow the guidelines for care of the unconscious patient (Part 5). (b) Maintain dim lighting in the patient’s room to reduce photophobic discomfort. (5) Provide discharge planning information to the patient and family. (a) Follow up appointments with the physician. (b) Discharge medication instruction. (c) Possible follow-up with the community health nurse. source :http://www.free-ed.net/sweethaven/MedTech/NurseCare/NeuroNurse01.asp?iNum=29 Please read this important information Nursing Care Plan Pneumonia

Breast cancer is an uncontrolled growth of breast cells Posted: 13 Jul 2010 06:37 PM PDT Breast cancer is an uncontrolled growth of breast cells. To better understand breast cancer, it helps to understand how any cancer can develop. Cancer occurs as a result of mutations, or abnormal changes, in the genes responsible for regulating the growth of cells and keeping them healthy. The genes are in each cell's nucleus, which acts as the "control room" of each cell. Normally, the cells in our bodies replace themselves through an orderly process of cell growth: healthy new cells take over as old ones die out. But over time, mutations can "turn on" certain genes and "turn off" others in a cell. That changed cell gains the ability to keep dividing without control or order, producing more cells just like it and forming a tumor. A tumor can be benign (not dangerous to health) or malignant (has the potential to be dangerous). Benign tumors are not considered cancerous: their cells are close to normal in appearance, they grow slowly, and they do not invade nearby tissues or spread to other parts of the body. Malignant tumors are cancerous. Left unchecked, malignant cells eventually can spread beyond the original tumor to other parts of the body. The term "breast cancer" refers to a malignant tumor that has developed from cells in the breast. Usually breast cancer either begins in the cells of the lobules, which are the milk-producing glands, or the ducts, the passages that drain milk from the lobules to the nipple. Less commonly, breast cancer can begin in the stromal tissues, which include the fatty and fibrous connective tissues of the breast. Breast Anatomy Larger Version Over time, cancer cells can invade nearby healthy breast tissue and make their way into the underarm lymph nodes, small organs that filter out foreign substances in the body. If cancer cells get into the lymph nodes, they then have a pathway into other parts of the body. The breast cancer's stage refers to how far the cancer cells have spread beyond the original tumor (seeStages of Breast Cancer tablefor more information). Breast cancer is always caused by a genetic abnormality (a "mistake" in the genetic material). However, only 5-10% of cancers are due to an abnormality inherited from your mother or father. About 90% of breast cancers are due to genetic abnormalities that happen as a result of the aging process and the "wear and tear" of life in general. While there are steps every person can take to help the body stay as healthy as possible (such as eating a balanced diet, not smoking, limiting alcohol, and exercising regularly), breast cancer is never anyone’s fault. Feeling guilty, or telling yourself that breast cancer happened because of something you or anyone else did, is not productive. Stages of Breast Cancer Stage Definition Stage 0 Cancer cells remain inside the breast duct, without invasion into normal adjacent breast tissue. Stage I Cancer is 2 centimeters or less and is confined to the breast (lymph nodes are clear). Stage IIA No tumor can be found in the breast, but cancer cells are found in the axillary lymph nodes (the lymph nodes under the arm) OR the tumor measures 2 centimeters or smaller and has spread to the axillary lymph nodes OR the tumor is larger than 2 but no larger than 5 centimeters and has not spread to the axillary lymph nodes. Stage IIB The tumor is larger than 2 but no larger than 5 centimeters and has spread to the axillary lymph nodes OR the tumor is larger than 5 centimeters but has not spread to the axillary lymph nodes. Stage IIIA No tumor is found in the breast. Cancer is found in axillary lymph nodes that are sticking together or to other structures, or cancer may be found in lymph nodes near the breastbone OR the tumor is any size. Cancer has spread to the axillary lymph nodes, which are sticking together or to other structures, or cancer may be found in lymph nodes near the breastbone. Stage IIIB The tumor may be any size and has spread to the chest wall and/or skin of the breast AND may have spread to axillary lymph nodes that are clumped together or sticking to other structures, or cancer may have spread to lymph nodes near the breastbone. Inflammatory breast cancer is considered at least stage IIIB. Stage IIIC There may either be no sign of cancer in the breast or a tumor may be any size and may have spread to the chest wall and/or the skin of the breast AND the cancer has spread to lymph nodes either above or below the collarbone AND the cancer may have spread to axillary lymph nodes or to lymph nodes near the breastbone. Stage IV The cancer has spread — or metastasized — to other parts of the body. source :http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/understand_bc/what_is_bc.jsp Please read this important information EARLY DETECTION AND SCREENING BREAST CANCER Nutrition for cancer patients

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