Lecture Notes: Peripheral Neuropathy

Introduction

• Presenter: Nurse Mo from the Straight A Nursing Podcast.
• Topic: Peripheral Neuropathy
  • A common condition affecting many patients.
  • Goal: To educate on causes, symptoms, complications, and nursing implications.

Peripheral Neuropathy Overview

• Stat Facts:
  1. Primary cause of amputations in the US.

  • Occurs every 5.5 minutes.

  2.** Over 100 types.

  • Symptoms vary with the nerve type damaged: sensory, motor, or autonomic.

  3.** Affects 2.4% of the population, increasing to 8% in older populations.

• Definition: Damage to distal nerves in hands/feet leading to numbness, tingling, weakness, and pain.

• Common Causes:

  • Diabetes (most common; linked to elevated glucose levels).
  • Trauma, infections, autoimmune diseases, tumors, toxins, medications, nutritional deficiencies, hypothyroidism, and hereditary conditions.

Complications

• Key Complications:
  • Injury: Due to lack of sensation.
  • Infection: Wounds go unnoticed.
  • Falls: Due to affected gait and balance.
  • Pain and Disability: Decreased quality of life, difficulty with ADLs.

Nursing Implications (LATTE Method)

• L - Look: Signs and Symptoms
  • Symptoms: Muscle weakness, numbness, tingling, pain, loss of balance, cramping, allodynia.
• A - Assessment:
  • Key Assessments:
    • Sensation in hands/feet for touch, heat, cold.
    • Check for unnoticed wounds.
    • Assess gait and coordination.
    • Evaluate ability to perform ADLs.
    • Thorough pain assessment using OLD CARTS framework.
• T - Tests:
  • Diagnostic Tests:
    • Ultrasound, EMG, Nerve conduction studies, biopsies, blood tests.
• T - Treatments:
  • Address underlying causes where possible.
  • Pharmacologic:
    • Anti-seizure medications, antidepressants, topical treatments.
  • Non-Pharmacologic:
    • Physical and Occupational therapy, surgery, acupuncture, TENS unit, scrambler therapy, spinal cord stimulator, biofeedback, hypnosis, moxibustion.
• E - Educate:
  • Patient Education:
    • Managing underlying conditions, understanding medications, safety to avoid injuries, and promoting regular exercise.

Conclusion

• Summary: Peripheral neuropathy involves complex symptoms, demanding comprehensive nursing care.
• Next Topic: Gestational diabetes.
• Resources: Visit Straight A Nursing website for more episodes and content.

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Additional Resources

• Unbiased Science Podcast: For evidence-based answers on health and wellness topics.