Neurology in Practice
A six week online tutored CPD course with Zoe Hatfield
Following completion of the tutored course, you now have unlimited lifetime access to the learning resources. These are provided for future reference only, and no further CPD hours may be claimed for reviewing the materials.
Week 1
Patient History and Assessment
- Taking a thorough history
- Initial patient assessment
- Anatomy
- Neurological examination
- Localisation
Learning objectives:
By the end of this week, delegates should be able to:
- Successfully take a detailed history from owners and distinguish if the problem is neurological or not
- Assess / triage the patient’s overall condition
- Understand the neurological examination and describe what the findings may suggest
- Discuss neurological lesion localisation and appreciate how this will allow planning of diagnostics tests
Week 2
Diagnostics
- What do we need to know and when?
- Blood tests
- Urine
- Imaging
- MRI
- CT
- Radiography
- Myelography
- Ultrasound
- Electrodiagnostics
- Muscle and nerve biopsies
Learning objectives:
By the end of this week, delegates should be able to:
- Understand if diagnostic tests are required
- Know what tests should be prioritised – especially in emergency / critical cases or money sensitive situations
- Understand what genetic tests are routinely carried out in neurology
- Have a basic understanding of advanced imaging protocols and which ones should be used
- Understand why and when electrodiagnostics are used in practice
- Discuss why muscle and nerve biopsies may be taken
Week 3
Spinal Conditions
- Intervertebral disc disease and other common spinal conditions
- Medical versus surgical treatment
- Hemilaminectomy surgery, ventral slot surgery and other surgical approaches
- Fenestration and durotomy – what does it mean and why?
- Atlanto-axial instability, fractures and other vertebral malformations
Learning objectives:
By the end of this week, delegates should be able to:
- Display knowledge about common spinal conditions seen in practice and understands why surgery is or isn’t performed
- Describe how surgery affects the patient’s anatomy. Understanding surgery allows for a more considerate approach to nursing these patients
- Show an awareness of any likelihood of recurrence
Week 4
Brain Disease
- Seizures
- Meningoencephalitis of unknown origin (MUO)
- Vestibular disease
- Head trauma
- Neoplasia
- Toxins
- Otitis media / interna
Learning objectives:
By the end of this week, delegates should be able to:
- Explain primary and secondary seizures and potential causes, and understand when to start anti-epileptic treatment
- Discuss the clinical signs of MUO, how it is diagnosed in practice, along with the treatment options available
- Know how to triage the emergency head trauma patient and use the Glasgow Coma Scale
- List other causes of disease that may cause patients to present similarly to brain disease patients
Week 5
Neuromuscular Disease
- Common neuromuscular diseases seen in the UK
- Myasthenia Gravis
- Polyradiculoneuritis
- Tetanus
- Toxoplasmosis
Learning objectives:
By the end of this week, delegates should be able to:
- Show an understanding as to how different neuromuscular diseases affect our patients
- Discuss treatment options available to patients for these conditions and know the nursing care required to support them during their recovery
Week 6
Nursing the Neurological Patient
- Nursing care required to successfully nurse patients in hospital
- Bladder dysfunction and care
- Nutritional / hydration needs
- Handling techniques
- Exercise
- Complications
- Complications
- Complementary treatment options
- Promoting good overall patient care in practice
Learning objectives:
By the end of this week, delegates should be able to:
- Consolidate knowledge from the whole course to successfully produce nursing care plans for a variety of neurological conditions
- Identify which bladder management technique is required for various patients
- Understand appropriate handling techniques and when one should be used over another
- Help support clients that have pets with ongoing neurological care needs at home
- Discuss the long-term care and monitoring these patients may require
CPD Course Content
Neurology in Practice
Course progress
Online CPD for Vet Nurses
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