Clinical Practice of Neurological and Neurosurgical Nursing

Neurological disorders are diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system. Examples of symptoms include paralysis,muscle weakness, poor coordination, loss of sensation, seizures, confusion, pain and altered levels of consciousness. Thereare many recognized neurological disorders, some relatively common, but many rare. They may be assessed by neurologicalexamination, and studied and treated within the specialities of neurology and clinical neuropsychology. Neurosurgicalnursing is a specialty within the field of medical-surgical nursing. Medical-surgical nursing focuses on adult health and is theoldest form of nursing. Neurosurgical patients are those in need of neurosurgery, which helps patients with dysfunctions ofthe nervous system. These dysfunctions include problems with consciousness, communication, cognition, mobility, andsensation. Some conditions that can result in the need for neurosurgery are brain or spinal cord neoplasm, head or spinalcord trauma, brain hemorrhages, cerebral vascular accidents, and seizures. This book provides neuroanatomy, assessment,diagnostic evaluation and management of the complete range of neurological disorders for which nurses provide patientcare, including trauma, stoke, tumors, seizures, headache, aneurysms, infections, degenerative disorders and neurologicalcritical care and peripheral neuropathies. This edition reflects standards of care based on evidence-based practice. It alsoincludes separate pathophysiology sections, professional and patient information sources, and nursing research features.