Question

3. Denny has a neurologic disorder and has just been diagnosed. His mother comes to you and asks what tests were ordered to aid in the diagnosis. You are the nurse on duty and try to assist her in understanding what is going on with her son.

a. What type of diagnostic testing is done to detect neurologic disorders in a client?

b. Discuss what they are and what they can show.

Answer 1

ANSWER :

3)a)Diagnostic tests for neurological disorders :

• Neurological examination
• Laboratory investigations
• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
• CT(Computed Tomography)
• PET (Positron emission Tomography)
• EEG(Electroencephalogram)
• EMG(Electromyography)
• Myelography

b) Neurological examination :

• Patiensts history taken and examination of both sensory and motor systems done to get the differential diagnosis which aids us towards the specific and additional diagnostic tests needed by the client

Laboratory investigations and screening tests:

• Blood tests - Autoimmune diseases are identified
• Urine analysis - toxins or proteins can identify the infection
• Genetic testing of DNA - diagnose hereditary disorders
• CSF analyis - meningitis , viral infections , multiple sclerosis , neurodegenerative disorders etc can be diagnosed

Brain imaging :

MRI :

• Used for detailed imaging of body tissues - brain and spinal cord
• Helps in diagnosing - Brain injury due to seizures , stroke , infections , brain and spinal cord tumors , neurodegenerative disorders etc

CT :

• CT gives us the 2 dimensional images of the bones , organs and tissues
• CT mainly used to detect hemorrhagic strokes immediately
• Used to diagnose hydrocephalus , encephalitis, brain cysts and tumors , vascular abnornalities etc

PET :

• Radioactive isoptopes are injected into the blood stream and 2d or 3d images of the brain activity are obtained
• PET ordered as a follow up for CT and MRI
• They specifically identify the effected area of brain tissue , its blood flow , function and metabolism
• More than one brain function can be traced simultaneously

EEG :

• It is done by attaching electrodes to the scalp of the patient that carry the electrical signals from brain to the machine.
• Used to detect seizure disorders , evaluate sleep disorders and other disorders that effect brain activity
• For confimation of brain death

EMG :

• Identifies abnormal electrical activity in muscles which may be caused to nerve or muscle damage
• Helps to detect nerve and muscle disorders , spinal nerve root compressions , amyotrophic lateral sclerosis etc
• Nerve conduction testa are done along with it

Myelography :

• Contrast dye is injected into spinal canal for imaging the spine clearly
• Helps to diagnose spine or spinal cord tumors , spinal cord compressions from herniated discs etc