Question

In: Anatomy and Physiology

A nurse is caring for a patient with anoxia (lack of oxygen) to the brain because...

A nurse is caring for a patient with anoxia (lack of oxygen) to the brain because of a drug overdose. The patient is unresponsive to external stimuli (pressure, pain, speaking to the patient). The patient is mechanically intubated to provide oxygen and ventilation support. What are the potential complications of altered brain function? Provide three examples of brain function and the altered effects on the body's systems (what happens when brain function is not working properly). Explain how this occurs (pathophysiology) and discuss why each is a problem. What are the differences between decerebrate and decorticate posturing?

Expert Solution

The altered brain function or altered mental status is vague and has several symptoms such as confusion, not acting right,altered behaviour,genralised weakness,lethargy (state of weariness that involves diminished energy),Psychosis,disorientation (altered mental state) inappropriate behavior ,inattention and hallucination.

Examples of brain function :

Brain is a part of central nervous system which receives and transmits impulses.The brain helps the body in sensory functions , movement, speech, taste , emotions, memory , intelligence, swallowing , coughing , stimulus and may more. But the three Vital functions of the brain are control of heart beat , rate of breathing and diameter of blood vessels.

A. Control of heart rate :

The body's nervous system , neurotransmitters and hormones regulate the sinus node and play a huge role in how the body regulates heart rate.

B. Rate of breathing :

The medulla oblongata detects the levels of oxygen and carbon di oxide concentrations and signals the muscles in the heart,lungs and diaphragm to increase or decrease the heart rate.

C. Diameter of blood vessels:

The Sympathetic nervous system innervates blood vessels .The parasympathetic nerve supply causes the blood vessels to dilate and contract.

Altered brain functions :

If the brain cannot function properly, it cannot send signals telling the body to breathe, cannot control the heart beat ,digestion and many more body functions. However special medications to help maintain blood pressure and other body functions may also be given.

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY is a medical discipline that focuses on the function and symptoms of diseased organs , generally for the purpose of diagnosis and patient care. Pathophysiology helps to test , diagnose and treat an illness.

Pathophysiology of the brain :

The altered mental state might be a result of penetration or rapid movement of the skull or skull damage.It might also be caused due to the alteration of membrane potential, disruption of ionic equilibrium and neurotransmitters.Changes in the cerebral glucose metabolism ( as glucose is the primary fuel source of the brain) .Increased generation of free radicles is another factor that contributes to altered brain function.Free radicles are unpaired electrons , these compounds are highly reactive and might attampt to gain electrons from surrounding substances which can result in cell membrane protein and DNA damage.Mitochondria plays a vital role in the pathophysiology and energy crisis associated with brain injury.Accumulation of Ca2+ ions contributes to mitochondrial impairments.Overall the neurochemical and metabolic processes affect one another.

Decerebrate posturing :

It is an abnormal body posture that involves the arms and legs being held staright , the toes being pointed downwards and the head & neck being backwards.The muscles are tightened and held rigidly.This type of posture usually means there has been sever damage to the brain.

Decorticate Posturing :

It is stiff with legs held out staright, fits clenched, and arms bent to hold the hands on the chest.It is a type of abnormal posture.It is an indication of certain types of injury to the brain and spinal cord.

below image FYR.

Hope the answer was clear and helpful.

Thanks....

Sydney Mullin answered 2 years ago

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