Brain Tumors

Brain Tumors

Symptoms and severity depends on location

What is it?

Brain tumors can cause a range of symptoms, depending on their location and size, including seizures, memory problems, personality changes, and weakness or numbness in the limbs.

Symptoms

  • Morning headaches
  • Vomiting
  • Ataxia (Impaired coordination)
  • Behavioral changes
  • Clumsiness
  • Diplopia
  • Facial weakness
Headaches & facial weakness

↑ Intracranial Pressure

  • Sluggish pupils
  • Uneven pupils
  • Changes in vital signs
  • Changes in LOC
  • Irritability
  • Bulging fontanelle (in infants)
  • Vomiting
Measure head circumference

Early vs Late Signs of ↑ ICP

The early signs of increased ICP may include headache, vomiting, and nausea. As ICP continues to rise, patients may experience altered mental states, confusion, lethargy, and changes in vision. Late signs of increased ICP can include seizures, decreased level of consciousness, and coma. In some cases, intracranial hypertension can lead to herniation of the brain, which is a life-threatening condition.

Early signs are nausea, vomiting, and headache

Post-operative care

  • Assess neuro status
  • Monitor for meningitis (Kernig’s and Brudzinski’s sign)
  • Monitor for ↑ ICP
  • Monitor for bleeding
  • Administer antiseizure medications
  • Monitor for colorless drainage on dressing, ears, or nose. It indicates CSF. Assess for the presence of glucose and notify HCP immediately.
  • Position on non-operative side
  • Never place on Trendelenburg position, even if hypotensive, to prevent ↑ ICP.
Assess Neuro Status
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