Skip to main content

9 Nursing Diagnosis for Encephalitis

Encephalitis is an acute inflammation of the brain. Usually the cause is a viral infection, but bacteria can also cause it. It can be mild or severe. Most cases are mild. Examples of viral infections that can cause encephalitis include herpes simplex virus (the virus that causes cold sores and genital herpes), varicella zoster virus (the chickenpox virus), mumps virus, measles virus and flu viruses. In the UK, the most common virus to cause encephalitis is herpes simplex virus.





Most cases of encephalitis are caused by the virus directly infecting the brain. However, sometimes encephalitis can develop if your immune system tries to fight off a virus and, at the same time, attacks the nerves in your brain in error. This is known as post-infectious or autoimmune encephalitis. Rarely, this type of encephalitis can develop after an immunisation.


Adult patients with encephalitis present with acute onset of fever, headache, confusion, and sometimes seizures. Younger children or infants may present irritability, poor appetite and fever. Neurological examinations usually reveal a drowsy or confused patient. Stiff neck, due to the irritation of the meninges covering the brain, indicates that the patient has either meningitis or meningoencephalitis.

Vaccination is available against tick-borne and Japanese encephalitis and should be considered for at-risk individuals.

Post-infectious encephalomyelitis complicating small pox vaccination is totally avoidable now as small pox is now eradicated. Contraindication to Pertussis immunisation should be observed in patients with encephalitis. An immunodeficient patient who has had contact with chicken pox virus should be given prophylaxis with hyperimmune zoster immunoglobulin.


9 Nursing Diagnosis for Encephalitis
  1. Hyperthermia
  2. Acute Pain
  3. Impaired physical mobility
  4. Impaired gas exchange
  5. Disturbed thought processes
  6. Risk for impaired skin integrity
  7. Risk for deficient fluid volume
  8. Imbalanced nutrition: Less than body requirements
  9. Anxiety

Source : https://purba-java-indo.blogspot.com/2014/12/9-nursing-diagnosis-for-encephalitis.html

 

Related Posts

 

Labels

Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

Appendectomy - Nursing Care Plan for Preoperative and Postoperative

Definition of Appendicitis Appendicitis is an inflammation that often occurs in the appendix which is a serious case of abdominal surgery are the most common. Appendectomy An appendectomy is the surgical removal of the vermiform appendix. This procedure is normally performed as an emergency procedure, when the patient is suffering from acute appendicitis. In the absence of surgical facilities, intravenous antibiotics are used to delay or avoid the onset of sepsis; it is now recognized that many cases will resolve when treated perioperatively. In some cases the appendicitis resolves completely; more often, an inflammatory mass forms around the appendix, causing transruptural flotation. This is a relative contraindication to surgery. Etiology of Appendicitis Appendicitis is a bacterial infection caused by obstruction or blockage due to: Hyperplasia of lymphoid follicles Fecalith presence in the lumen of the appendix Appendix tumor The presence of foreign objects suc...
Read more

Activity Intolerance - Nursing Care Plan for Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia, also known as low blood sugar or low blood glucose, is when blood sugar decreases to below normal. The most common cause of hypoglycemia is medications used to treat diabetes mellitus such as insulin, sulfonylureas, and biguanides. Risk is greater in diabetics who have eaten less than usual, exercised more than usual, or drunk alcohol. Other causes of hypoglycemia include kidney failure, certain tumors, liver disease, hypothyroidism, starvation, inborn error of metabolism, severe infections, reactive hypoglycemia, and a number of drugs including alcohol. This may result in a variety of symptoms including clumsiness, trouble talking, confusion, loss of consciousness, seizures, or death. A feeling of hunger, sweating, shakiness, and weakness may also be present. Symptoms typically come on quickly. ( wikipedia ) Activity Intolerance - Nursing Care Plan for Hypoglycemia Activity Intolerance related to imbalance of oxygen supply and demand, weakness. Defining charac...
Read more

6 Nursing Diagnosis for Empyema

  Empyema Empyema is defined as a collection of pus in the pleural cavity, gram-positive, or culture from the pleural fluid. Empyema is usually associated with pneumonia but may also develop after thoracic surgery or thoracic trauma. ( www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ) Empyema is usually caused by an infection that spreads from the lung. It leads to a buildup of pus in the pleural space. There can be 2 cups (1/2 liter) or more of infected fluid. This fluid puts pressure on the lungs. Risk factors include: Bacterial pneumonia, Tuberculosis, Chest surgery, Lung abscess, Trauma or injury to the chest. In rare cases, empyema can occur after thoracentesis. This is a procedure in which a needle is inserted through the chest wall to remove fluid in the pleural space for medical diagnosis or treatment. ( medlineplus.gov ) Symptoms of empyema may include: having a case of pneumonia that does not improve, a fever, chest pain, a cough, pus in mucus, difficulty breathing, a crackling sound from the c...
Read more