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Biomedical subjects

V Prendergast

Publications and source records attributed to V Prendergast.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Acute spinal cord injury. Nursing considerations for the first 72 hours.

The effects of spinal cord injury can be devastating. An understanding of spinal anatomy and the mechanisms of injury provide the basis for correlating presenting signs and symptoms with the extent of neural damage. Understanding the principles of acute care management will help guide the nurse in executing interventions aimed at preservation of neurologic functions. Research must continue to focus on quality-of-life issues and methods of preventing both primary and secondary injuries.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1998

Rupture of a previously documented small asymptomatic intracranial aneurysm in a patient with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. Case report.

Intracranial aneurysms are common extrarenal manifestations of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). Although their natural history is not completely understood, small asymptomatic intracranial aneurysms in patients with ADPKD often are not treated but are followed with serial magnetic resonance (MR) angiography. The authors report the unique case of a patient with ADPKD who bled from a previously documented asymptomatic 3-mm intracranial aneurysm. This 42-year-old man with ADPKD suffered a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) from a 7-mm left pericallosal artery aneurysm. This aneurysm was clipped and the patient made an excellent recovery. An irregular asymptomatic 3-mm right middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysm had also been demonstrated on angiography. While the patient was considering elective surgery for the MCA aneurysm, he suffered a hemorrhage from this lesion 10 weeks after the initial SAH. The aneurysm was clipped and the patient made a satisfactory recovery (he was moderately disabled). In this report the authors indicate that small asymptomatic intracranial aneurysms are not always innocuous in patients with ADPKD, and they suggest that treatment should be strongly considered for these lesions in this group of patients when there is a history of SAH or the aneurysm is irregular in appearance. Because MR angiography studies may not adequately define the configuration of small aneurysms and irregularity may easily be missed, conventional angiography is recommended for patients with ADPKD who are found to have an intracranial aneurysm on screening with MR angiography.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Profiles of cognitive functioning in subjects with neurological disorders.

This report completes a four-year funded project designed to develop a data bank of Neurobehavioral Cognitive Status Examinations (NCSE) profiles of patients with neurological based disorders. Seven facilities participated in the study. Twenty categories of neurological/ psychological disorders were obtained from the NCSE profiles of 804 patients. Four categories had a sample large enough to permit inferences about the cognitive deficits related to the specific neurologic diagnosis. Including all diagnoses, the major areas of cognitive decline were auditory memory, visual memory and construction. Subjects with dementia had similar profiles but the severity varied depending upon the diagnoses of multi-infarct dementia, dementia of unknown origin or Alzheimer's disease. Profiles of cognitive functioning appear to differ among patients with different neurological/psychological disorders. The study also illustrated unique cognitive deficits that occur with different neurologic disorders, and how NCSE profiles were able to identify specific areas of cognitive deficits in population of patients with similar neurologic insults.

Central Nervous System Diseases↗
PubMed1997

Stroke and women.

An important aspect of nursing care is to assist patients in the process of adaptation as proposed by Roy. An individual's response to the diagnosis of stroke and the everchanging environment affords the nurse a tremendous opportunity to assess the patient and factors that may ultimately influence quality of living. Given the devastating consequences of stroke, the efforts directed at improving patient compliance are well placed. Nurses have the opportunity to teach those patients under their direct care as well as those individuals in the community setting. Nurses can also play an instrumental role in health promotion strategies, incorporating lifestyle modifications as well as information based on medication therapy. Taking advantage of professional organizations such as the National Stroke Association, the American Heart Association, and the multiple neuroscience organizations who have developed the Brain Attack Coalition, materials can be accessed and used for acute care and community health education programs. Acute care nurses interact with a variety of women on a daily basis. Each patient presents with her unique physiology and associated risk factors. Acute care nurses must be attuned to these factors and be ready to intervene with assessment, education, and collaboration with the health care team in order to reduce the incidence of stroke in women.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Intrahospital transport of neuro ICU patients.

Neuroscience intensive care unit (NICU) patients are frequently transported out of the critical care environment for diagnostic and interventional procedures. Four hundred and seventy-one such transports from seventeen clinical centers were studied to identify the characteristics of intrahospital transport. Data collected included the destination and duration of transport, number and type of personnel involved, changes in monitoring and treatment during transport, adverse patient responses and the impact on patients left in the unit. Differences between transports characterized as elective or emergent in nature were noted. Results validate that intrahospital transport of NICU patients is both time and labor intensive. The study also suggests that the optimal process for safe and efficient transport is yet to be designed.

Central Nervous System Diseases↗
PubMed1994

Current trends in research and treatment of intracranial hypertension.

The effects of a severe head injury are immediate and have been the subject of research for decades. Heightened awareness of proposed metabolic changes and new treatments are guiding current management. The metabolic derangements that occur at the time of injury and continue through the acute phase are discussed as well as proposed treatments. In addition, advances in hemodynamic monitoring, respiratory management, and general aspects of nursing care are presented.

Beds↗
PubMed1991

Spinal cord damage with diving injuries. Considerations for nursing care.

Complications involving the neurologic, pulmonary, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and integumentary systems can be minimized with a vigilant and systematic nursing approach to the quadriplegic patient. This care encompasses both the patient and the significant others. A nurse-coordinated team effort provides for patient and family trust, continuity of care, and better outcomes from these devastating injuries.

Diving↗
PubMed1987

Bacterial meningitis update.

Meningitis can result from an invasion of the central nervous system (CNS) by bacteria, fungi, viruses, or parasites. While a diagnosis differentiating the types of meningitis may be difficult in the early stages, it is imperative that treatment be instituted as soon as possible. Bacterial meningitis can have a mortality rate of 100% if left untreated. Through a combination of early recognition, prompt institution of antimicrobial treatment, and effective nursing support the management of these patients is greatly enhanced. This article contrasts bacterial with other types of meningitis; presents the physical examination, diagnostic work-up, treatment, and complications; and explores nursing considerations.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗