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.
Brain Tumors
Symptoms
- Morning headaches
- Vomiting
- Ataxia (Impaired coordination)
- Behavioral changes
- Clumsiness
- Diplopia
- Facial weakness
↑ Intracranial Pressure
- Sluggish pupils
- Uneven pupils
- Changes in vital signs
- Changes in LOC
- Irritability
- Bulging fontanelle (in infants)
- Vomiting
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.
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.
