Brain tumors

A bit about brain tumors that I learned while on clinical placement:

Symptoms:
• headache
• vomiting
• dizziness
• strabismus (uneven eyes)
• meningismus (three symptoms occurring together - neck stiffness, sensitivity to light, and headache)

The most common type of brain tumour is a meningioma, a benign tumor that grows out of the meninges. 8/10 are treatable with surgery, steroid drugs, and/or anti-seizure drugs.

Goals of brain tumour treatment:
• decompression to relieve intracranial pressure (surgery)
• diagnose the type of tumour (histopathology)
• management plan (radiotherapy, rehab or palliative care)
• peritoneal shunt (if there is hydrocephalus)

This week I did two aged care shifts (paid work) and have been going to class three days a week. Next week I have a group presentation worth 20% and an assignment worth 40% to do.

Videos
• Nurse TV: Nursing Makes a Difference http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOiK5Cbz97U&feature=related
• Nurse TV: No lift policy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQTJd_-QSXE
• Safe Needles Save Lives

Reading
• Reflective Practice: A Guide for Nurses and Midwives
• Neurologic Assessment Skills for the Acute Medical Surgical Nurse
• Neurovascular Observation

Lectures
• Adverse events and root cause analysis
• Quality and risk management
• Implementing Change
• Leadership in nursing
• Clinical leadership and management