Headaches brain tumor

Headaches, weakness Depression, mania, personality changes Brain tumor... 

Diseases often have characteristic symptoms, such as headache or physical signs, such as the paralysis of facial muscles or by abnormaUties found at autopsy, such as a brain tumor or by histopathological abnormalities in tissues and cells, such as inflammatory cells. Diseases are also detected by abnormal blood tests, such as an elevated blood sugar level, or as regional abnormalities in molecular processes. Half a century ago, the focus of much medical research was to detect abnormahties in the blood of molecules, such as insulin, ACTH, hydrocortisone, thyroxine and other hormones. It was not possible to examine the chemistry of the brain, except at autopsy or when brain tissue was removed at surgery. 

The client diagnosed with a brain tumor has been placed on narcotical analgesic medications to control the associated headaches. Which intervention should the nurse implement ... 

The use of medications for migraine headaches does not cause brain tumors. 

The client with a brain tumor is complaining of headache that is a 5 on a scale of 1-10. The client s Medication Administration Record (MAR) has acetaminophen (Tylenol) 2 po PRN pain, hydrocodone (Vicodin) 2 po PRN pain, morphine 4 mg IVP PRN pain, and lorazepam (Ativan) 1 mg fVP PRN. Which medication should the nurse prepare to administer ... 

Tumor (brain) Headaches, visual disturbances, localized physical weakness... 

A major type of headache that must be considered in differential diagnosis is that caused by underlying disease intracranial disturbances (e.g., vascular anomalies, infections, tumors, trauma) diseases involving the head and neck but not the brain (e.g., cervical osteoarthritis disorders of eye, ear, nose, sinuses, and throat cranial neuralgias) and systemic diseases (e.g., sudden and severe hypertension, hyperthyroidism). These headaches usually can be relieved by specific therapy for the underlying disorder (e.g., surgical correction of tumors, antibiotics for infections, antiarthritic drugs for osteoarthritis). 

Respiratory acidosis may produce neuromuscular symptoms, including altered mental status, abnormal behavior, seizures, stupor, and coma. Hypercapnia may mimic stroke or CNS tumors by producing headache, papilledema, focal paresis, and abnormal reflexes. Carbon dioxide acts as a vasodilator in the brain, thus causing an increase in cerebral blood flow. This increase in cerebral blood flow is thought to be partially responsible for the CNS symptoms. The CNS response to hypercapnia is extremely variable between patients and is also influenced by the acuity of presentation. Chronic hypercapnia blunts the usual respiratory stimulus resulting from increased PaC02. In patients with severe chronic respiratory acidosis, hypoxemia rather than hypercapnia provides the primary ventilatory stimulus. ... 

HUMAN HEALTH RISKS lARC Group 2B possible human carcinogen Acute Risks headache, nausea, loss of appetite, pulmonary edema, brain effects similar to those produced by the drug opium Chronic Risks tumors in animals, may damage the liver and kidneys. 

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