Preface viii Acknowledgements x 1 Anatomy and Physiology: The Nervous System 1 Organisation of the Nervous System 1 Sensory Division of the Peripheral Nervous System 1 Central Nervous System 2 Motor Division of the Peripheral Nervous System 2 Neurotransmitters 5 Neuroglia 5 Meninges 7 The Cerebrospinal Fluid 7 Brain 7 The Blood Supply to the Brain 11 Circle of Willis 12 The Peripheral Nervous System 14 The Autonomic Nervous System 17 Sympathetic Division 19 Parasympathetic Division 20 Conclusion 21 Glossary of Terms 22 Multiple Choice Questions 22 References 24 2 Assessment of the Nervous System 25 Assessing Needs 25 Assessing the Level of Consciousness 26 Vital Signs 30 Assessment of Pupillary Reaction 31 Motor and Sensory Assessments 31 The Patient History 32 Physical Examination 40 Assessing Mental Status 41 Cranial Nerve Assessment 41 Evaluating the System: Diagnostic Tests 45 Conclusion 45 Glossary of Terms 45 Multiple Choice Questions 46 References 47 3 Stroke 49 Pathophysiological Changes Associated with Stroke 49 Ischaemic Stroke 50 Haemorrhagic Stroke 51 Cellular and Molecular Events 51 Epidemiology 55 Risk Factors 55 Non-modifiable Risk Factors 56 Modifiable Risk Factors 56 Clinical Presentation 56 Ischaemic Stroke 57 Haemorrhagic Stroke 57 Transient Ischaemic Attacks 57 The FAST Acronym 57 Clinical Investigations and Diagnosis 58 Onset and Duration of Symptoms 58 Nature of Symptoms 59 Previous Strokes or Transient Ischaemic Attacks 59 Medical History 59 Risk Factors 59 Medication and Allergies 59 Social History 59 Psychosocial History 60 Pre-existing Conditions 60 Recent Procedures or Surgeries 60 Timing of Presentation to Healthcare Provider 60 Patient''s Perspective 60 Management 63 Post-acute and Long-term Management 66 Health Teaching 67 Conclusion 69 Glossary of Terms 69 Multiple Choice Questions 70 References 71 Other Risk Factors 80 Clinical Presentation 80 Clinical Investigations and Diagnosis 84 Management 87 Caregiver Support 88 Symptom Management 88 Health Teaching 88 Conclusion 90 Glossary of Terms 90 Multiple Choice Questions 91 References 92 5 Multiple Sclerosis 94 Pathophysiological Changes Associated with Acute Multiple Sclerosis 94 Prognosis 96 Epidemiology 96 Risk Factors 97 Clinical Presentation 97 Clinical Investigations and Diagnosis 101 Management 106 Supportive Care 108 Health Teaching 108 Conclusion 110 Glossary of Terms 110 Multiple Choice Questions 111 References 112 4 Dementia 73 Pathophysiological Changes Associated with Dementia 73 Confusion 78 Mild Cognitive Impairment 78 Prognosis 78 Epidemiology 78 Risk Factors 80 6 Epilepsy 114 Equality and Law 114 Pathophysiological Changes Associated with Epilepsy 115 Epidemiology 117 Risk Factors 117 Clinical Presentation 118 Clinical Investigations and Diagnosis 119 Management 123 Seizure First Aid 123 Mental Health and Well-being 124 Equality and Diversity 124 Treatment Goals 125 Health Teaching 126 Conclusion 128 Glossary of Terms 128 Multiple Choice Questions 129 References 130 7 Raised Intracranial Pressure 132 Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension 132 Pathophysiological Changes Associated with Raised Intracranial Pressure 133 Consequences of Raised Intracranial Pressure 135 Epidemiology 136 Socioeconomic Factors 136 Risk Factors 137 Clinical Presentation 138 Clinical Investigations and Diagnosis 140 Management 142 Monitoring 142 Medical Management 142 Ventilation Management 143 Surgical Interventions 143 Cerebrospinal Fluid Drainage 143 Psychological and Emotional Needs 144 Multidisciplinary Approach 144 Prognosis and Follow-up 145 Health Teaching 145 Conclusion 146 Glossary of Terms 146 Multiple Choice Questions 147 References 148 8 Traumatic Brain Injury 150 Head Injury 150 Pathophysiological Changes Associated with Traumatic Brain Injury 151 Mechanisms of Injury 151 Location of the Injury 151 Open Versus Closed Brain Injuries 152 Secondary Injuries 152 Epidemiology 152 Risk Factors 153 Clinical Presentation 153 Severity of Symptoms 154 Symptoms of Specific Types of Traumatic Brain Injury 154 Clinical Investigations and Diagnosis 154 Management 160 Health Teaching 161 Understanding the Injury and Its Effects 161 Medication Management 162 Cognitive and Physical Rehabilitation 162 Emotional and Psychological Support 163 Preventing Complications 163 Safety Measures 163 Conclusion 163 Glossary of Terms 164 Multiple Choice Questions 165 References 166 MCQ Answers 167 Index 168.