Spinal cord injury
41 Spinal cord injury Overview/pathophysiology Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) are caused by vertebral fractures or dislocations that sever, lacerate, stretch, or compress the spinal cord and interrupt neuronal function and…
Parkinsonism
39 Parkinsonism Overview/pathophysiology Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a slowly progressive degenerative disorder of the central nervous system (CNS) affecting the brain centers that regulate movement and balance. For unknown reasons,…
Intervertebral disk disease
37 Intervertebral disk disease Overview/pathophysiology The intervertebral disk is a semifluid-filled fibrous capsule that facilitates movement of the spine and acts as a shock absorber. The disk’s ability to withstand…
Guillain-barré syndrome
36 Guillain-barré syndrome Overview/pathophysiology Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rapidly progressing polyneuritis of unknown cause. An inflammatory process enables lymphocytes to enter perivascular spaces and destroy the myelin sheath covering…
Multiple sclerosis
38 Multiple sclerosis Overview/pathophysiology Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disorder causing scattered and sporadic demyelinization of the central nervous system (CNS). Myelin permits nerve impulses to travel quickly through…
Bacterial meningitis
35 Bacterial meningitis Overview/pathophysiology Bacterial meningitis is an infection that results in inflammation of the meningeal membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. Bacteria in the subarachnoid space multiply and…
Urinary tract obstruction
33 Urinary tract obstruction Overview/pathophysiology Urinary tract obstruction usually is the result of blockage from pelvic tumors, calculi, and urethral strictures. Additional causes include neoplasms, benign prostatic hypertrophy, ureteral or…
General care of patients with neurologic disorders
34 General care of patients with neurologic disorders Nursing diagnosis: Decreased intracranial adaptive capacity related to increased intracranial pressure (IICP) and herniation occurring with positional factors or increased intrathoracic or…
Ureteral calculi
31 Ureteral calculi Overview/pathophysiology Ureteral calculi (stones) constitute the third most common urologic condition after urinary tract infections (UTIs) and pathologic conditions of the prostate. Although the cause of stones…
Urinary diversions
32 Urinary diversions Overview/pathophysiology When the bladder must be bypassed or is removed, a urinary diversion is created. Urinary diversions most commonly are created for individuals with bladder cancer. However,…
