Neurology in Practice
A six week online tutored CPD course with Zoe Hatfield
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
Modules
Status
1
Welcome
2
Week 1 - Patient History and Assessment Available on: 30/09/2024 12:00 am
3
Week 2 - Diagnostics Available on: 07/10/2024 12:00 am
4
Week 3 - Spinal Conditions Available on: 14/10/2024 12:00 am
5
Week 4 - Brain Disease Available on: 21/10/2024 12:00 am
6
Week 5 - Neuromuscular Disease Available on: 28/10/2024 12:00 am
7
Week 6 - Nursing the Neurological Patient Available on: 04/11/2024 12:00 am
8
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Neurology in Practice
Course progress
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