Credits Hours: 8.00

Course Description:
Lesson I: detailed description of the anatomy and physiology of the neurologic system; discussion of physical assessment and specific laboratory and diagnostic tests used in the assessment process. Lesson II: discussion of disorders including cerebral vascular injuries and stroke, tumors, infectious diseases, seizures and traumatic brain injury. Lesson III: describes concepts associated with monitoring, outlines types of monitoring available, discusses methods for treating a patient exhibiting signs and symptoms of increased intracranial pressure.

Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

• Explain the relationship between normal anatomy and physiology of the central nervous system and assessment findings.
• Describe the Monro-Kellie hypothesis and explain the significance for managing patients with neurologic disorders.
• Determine level of consciousness and describe it appropriately for documentation purposes.
• Compare assessment findings with results of diagnostic tests.
• Define ?mechanism of injury? for open and closed head injuries.
• Compare and contrast the different types of intracranial hematomas, including assessment and interventions.
• Explain the mechanism of symptoms for aneurysms and vasospasm.
• Assess the patient for presence of central nervous system infections.
• Identify seizure activity according to the International Classification of Epileptic Seizures.
• Identify the symptoms and effects of intracranial tumors.
• Describe factors that affect intracranial pressure, or ICP.
• Describe the methods and components for ICP monitoring, including evaluation of waveforms.
• Explain the rationale for medical interventions to decrease ICP.
• Apply nursing interventions to decrease ICP.
• Understand the mechanism and outcomes of herniation syndromes.