It’s no secret that Americans are living longer and that deaths from heart disease, stroke, and cancer are on the downswing. It’s also true that more people are…
Assessment is key for optimal management. Takeaways: An early symptom of Alzheimer’s disease is decline in cognition, most typically manifesting as short-term memory loss. Early symptoms of Lewy…
Ruby Jacobs, age 84, arrives at the emergency department with a headache, which she says has gotten worse over the past week despite taking acetaminophen. Her past medical…
A recent study published by Cortex found that people who speak more than one language have more advanced disease before they develop symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Bilingualism appears…
Many patients face prolonged recovery and permanent disability after a traumatic brain injury. This article reviews appropriate assessment and intervention and highlights family care.
Because of improvements in safety, stents are now the treatment of choice for many patients. Learn about the improvements and your role in patient care.
Every 40 seconds, someone has a stroke; every 4 minutes, someone dies from stroke. Strokes are the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. The two…
Commonly confused with SIADH, cerebral salt wasting can result from such neurologic conditions as subarachnoid hemmorrhage, intracranial hemorrhage, ischemic stroke, intracranial surgery, and brain trauma.
Do you routinely instill normal saline solution into endotracheal tubes before suctioning? Use only the Glasgow Coma Scale for neurologic assessment? Evidence on these and other sacred cows…
Cortical thinning on MRI predicts Alzheimer disease dementia within 10 years in cognitively normal adults according to a study in Neurology. Read more at http://www.neurology.org/content/76/16/1395.abstract.
Congress has passed the National Alzheimer’s Project Act, which as of Dec. 15 was ready to be signed by President Obama. The Act establishes a national plan for…
Continuing statin therapy in patients already on this therapy is associated with a lower daily risk of delirium in ICU patients, according to a study in the American…
The nurse’s note read, “not orientated to place and time due to dementia.” Several hours of general anesthesia for a knee replacement and then morphine via a patient-controlled…
Researchers develop method that could one day be used in brain trauma lawsuits Lawyers representing both sides in concussion lawsuits against sports leagues may eventually have a new…
Alzheimer’s disease afflicts not just the person who has it but everyone in that person’s orbit. Learn how to help family members caring for patients with this nursing…
Assessing the neurologic status of unconscious or comatose patients can be a challenge because they can’t cooperate actively with your examination. But once you become proficient in performing…
Assessing the neurologic status of unconscious or comatose patients can be a challenge because they can’t cooperate actively with your examination. But once you become proficient in performing…
Exercise should be prescribed for stroke survivors because it can significantly reduce disability and the risk of recurrent stroke, according to “Physical Activity and Exercise Recommendations for Stroke…
Moderate to heavy physical activity is associated with a lower risk of silent brain infarctions in older adults according to a study published online by Neurology. Read more.
On March 11, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allowed marketing of the first device as a preventative treatment for migraine headaches. This is also the first…
On Jan. 20, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that testing positive for anti-JC virus antibodies has been identified as a risk factor for progressive multifocal…
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a device to help reduce the frequency of seizures in epilepsy patients who have not responded well to medications.…
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Horizant Extended Release Tablets (gabapentin enacarbil) as a daily treatment for moderate-to-severe restless legs syndrome (RLS). Read more at http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm250188.htm.
On July 28, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Cuvposa (glycopyrrolate) Oral Solution to treat chronic severe drooling caused by neurologic disorders in children ages 3…
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Dotarem (gadoterate meglumine) for use in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain, spine and associated tissues of patients…
On Sept. 12, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Aubagio (teriflunomide), a once-a-day tablet for the treatment of adults with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS).…
On March 27, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Tecfidera (dimethyl fumarate) capsules to treat adults with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis. Read more.
On Feb. 7, 2013, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a proposal designed to help companies developing new treatments for patients in the early stages of…
Is your facility doing enough to help stroke patients survive and regain functional independence? Find out how a national evidence-based initiative helps hospitals deliver better stroke care.
Lack of evidence-based care for spinal cord injuries In your September article “Cervical spine injuries: Preserving function, improving outcomes,” the author describes as “aggressive care” the administration of…
Patents with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and who completed memory training had neural changes measurable with brain imaging, indicating their brains remain “plastic” and capable of change. Read…
According to a French study (published by Neurology) of more than 7,000 people in three cities, those with metabolic syndrome had a higher risk of cognitive decline. Read…
A study of women enrolled in the Women’s Health Study has found that women with migraines or a history of migraines were about 40% more likely to develop…
Researchers have identified genetic variations in TOX3 and noncoding RNA BC034767 that appear to be associated with restless legs syndrome, although the exact role still has to be…
Researchers have developed a new clinical pathway that provides guidance for healthcare providers to help dementia patients who drive. The pathway was presented at the Annual Conference of…
A new evidence report from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality says there is no evidence for that many current strategies for preventing cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s…
Nursing advocates key in democratic-led Congress. By Erin McKeon Although the 110th Congress hasn’t finalized its priorities, it seems that several healthcare issues will top the agenda. (more…)
The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) is seeking nurses to help with their free, confidential memory screenings during its 8th annual National Memory Screening Day (NMSD) on November…
The study “Physical Activity Over the Life Course and Its Association with Cognitive Performance and Impairment in Old Age” found that women who were physically active during life,…
Often difficult to detect, primary insufficiency can flare into a life-threatening crisis. Learn how to identify the signs and symptoms of both chronic and acute insufficiency.
Which of the following patient assessment findings are consistent with the diagnostic criteria for Alzheimer’s disease? a. The patient has multiple cognitive impairments, including memory impairment and aphasia.…
Is it syncope—or something worse? “A nice article on vasovagal syncope. Unfortunately the author omitted an important trigger—food sensitivities. I know very well because I have this problem…
Delirium affects 30% to 40% of hospitalized older adults but often goes unrecognized. This article discussed its pathophysiology and risk factors, assessment techniques, and preventative strategies.
Nina Robbins, age 36, is admitted to the medical unit with pyelonephritis. She states she has had a fever above 102° F, back pain, vomiting, and painful urination…
I am a nurse at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, WV, on the Neuro Intensive Care Unit. I work with some of the most critically ill patients. Neurology…
The rapid response team makes all the right moves when a patient experiences neck swelling and difficulty swallowing after an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion.
Adrienne Johnson, age 5, is admitted to the general pediatric unit. She has sickle cell anemia (hemoglobin SS subtype) and recently was discharged after being hospitalized for acute…
Maternal smoking during pregnancy is not associated with increased risk of autism spectrum disorders, according to a study in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. Read more.
Diuretics, angiotensin-1 receptor blockers, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors seemed to reduce the risk of Alzheimer disease (AD), according to a study, published in Neurology, of adults at least…
A study of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), published in Neurology, has found that brain reserve and cognitive reserve help protect against cognitive decline over 4.5 years. Read…
One month of drinking two cups of hot chocolate a day improved neurovascular coupling and cognitive function, according to a double-blind clinical trial of 60 older people published…
A UK study in PLOS Medicine found that people with dementia have about three times the rate of urinary incontinence and more than four times the rate of…
A study published in Neurology has found that among patients with mild cognitive impairment, self-reported head trauma with at least momentary loss of consciousness or memory was associated…
In patients with a traumatic brain injury (TBI), the administration of the hormone erythropoietin (EPO) or maintaining a higher hemoglobin (Hgb) concentration through blood transfusion did not improve…
Even for people who don’t have diabetes, those who have higher glucose levels are more likely to have memory problems, according to a study published by Neurology. The…
The size and shape of two brain regions (the nucleus accumbens and the amygdala) involved in emotion and motivation may differ in young adults who smoke marijuana at…
A study in the Annals of Internal Medicine reports on an effective new delirium severity measure (CAM-S) based on the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM), Read more and read…
Any athlete with concussion symptoms should not be allowed to return to play on the same day, according to the latest consensus statement on sports-related concussion summarized in…
There is no strong evidence to back the use of cannabis extract in the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis, concludes a review of the available evidence published in the…
A study in Neurology reports that repeated blows to the head during a season of contact sports may cause changes in the brain’s white matter and affect cognitive…
Two studies presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s 66th Annual Meeting, 2014, may offer hope to people with migraines. The two phase II drugs (ALD403 and LY2951742)…
College football players with and without a history of concussions have less volume in the hippocampal region of the brain that relates to memory and emotion, according to…
Premature menopause is associated with long-term negative effects on cognitive function, suggests a study in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Compared to women who experienced…
A study in Human Molecular Genetics reports that five rare mutations of the gene AFF2 increase the risk that a boy will develop an autism spectrum disorder (ASD).…
The Stroop smartphone application (EncephalApp_Stroop) is a short, valid, and reliable tool for screening for minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE), according to a study in Hepatology. Currently, there are…
Young adult men who watch more violence on television show indications of less mature brain development and poorer executive functioning, according to a study in Brain and Cognition.…
According to a study in Stroke, many U.S. women don’t know most of the warning signs of stroke. Of the 1,205 women in the telephone survey, 51% identified…
“Effect of Vitamin E and memantine on functional decline in Alzheimer disease,” a study published in JAMA, reports that 2,000 units of vitamin E, compared to placebo, slowed…
Controversy over new Lyme disease guidelines The new guidelines released by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (ISDA) have run into some criticism. In fact, the International Lyme…
Measles outbreak Between January 1 and April 25, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention received reports of 64 measles cases in nine states—the highest number for the…
Previous hospital-room occupants may spread MRSA and VRE The risk of acquiring methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) or vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) infections increases if the prior hospital-room occupant tested…
American Diabetes Association releases food guidelines for specific medical categories “When you’re talking about diabetes, there is no ‘one size fits all’ diet,” said Ann Albright, PhD, RD,…
Medical illiteracy can kill A 6-year study of 3,260 patients ages 65 and older found that almost 40% of those considered medically illiterate died during the study. Only…
Editor’s note: One of a series of articles from the National Human Genome Research Institute. http://www.genome.gov/ All nurses in clinical practice interact at least occasionally with patients who…
Get updates on the investigation into fungal meningitis and other infections in patients who received contaminated steroid injections on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Read…
A global, multicenter randomized clinical trial called INOVATE-HF (INcrease Of VAgal TonE in chronic Heart Failure) is investigating the safety and efficacy of an implantable vagus nerve electrical…
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