Pediatric Nursing Demystified

• Measure head circumference to determine if hydrocephalus develops.


• Be prepared to insert a straight urinary catheter if the infant is not uri-
  nating adequately.


• Perform range-of-motion exercises to maintain muscle tone.

Brain Tumors

What Went Wrong?

A brain tumor is a growth of abnormal cells within the brain tissue. The tumor

may be a primary site that originated in the brain or a secondary site that has

metastasized from a cancer site elsewhere in the body.

Because the tumor is growing within the confined space of the skull, the

patient will eventually develop signs of increased intracranial pressure. Some

cell types grow faster than others, and patients with the more aggressive, fast-

growing cancers develop symptoms more quickly.

Meningiomasare typically benign tumors that begin from the meninges

(covering of the brain). Meningiomas are typically benign tumors that begin

from the meninges (covering of the brain). They are more common in women

and more common as people age. Treatment is surgical removal, but the

growth tends to recur.

Gliomasare a malignant brain tumor of the neuroglial cells that tends to be

rapidly growing. Patients have nonspecific symptoms of increased intracranial

pressure. Treatment typically includes surgical debulking of the tumor; com-

plete removal is often not possible at the time of diagnosis. Surgery is fol-

lowed by radiation and chemotherapy.

Astrocytoma is the most common glioma and has a variable progno-

sis. Oligodendroglioma is slow growing and may be calcified. Glioblastoma

is a poorly differentiated glioma with a poor prognosis.

Signs and Symptoms

Cerebellum or brainstem:

• Lack of coordination: Cerebellum help coordinate gross movements.


• Hypotonia of limbs.


• Ataxia.
  Frontal lobe:


• Inability to speak (expressive aphasia)


• Slowing of mental activity


• Personality changes


• Anosmia (loss of sense of smell)
  Occipital lobe:


• Impaired vision: Defect in visual fields; patient may deny or be
  unaware of defect.


• Prosopagnosia (patient is unable to recognize familiar faces).


• Change in color perception.

6

CHAPTER 10/ Neurologic Conditions^215