1. Brain Tumor Risk Factors Few known risk factors Exposure to vinyl chloride (increased risk of glioma) Epstein-Barr virus infection AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) Organ transplant (may increase the risk of primary CNS lymphoma) Genetic syndromes: → Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) or 2 (NF2) → von Hippel-Lindau disease → Tuberous sclerosis → Li-Fraumeni syndrome → Turcot syndrome type 1 or 2 → Nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome “The cause of most adult brain and spinal cord tumors is unknown.” -- Huntsman Cancer Institute, Univ. of Utah

2. Brain Tumor Nursing Assessments Identify risk factors: exposure to radiation or carcinogenic chemicals Identify presence of headache, vomiting, and decreased vision or double vision Observe weakness or paralysis: hemiparesis or hemiplegia Identify changes in sensation: hyperesthesia or paresthesia Observe sensory changes: asteregnosis, agnosia, apraxia, agraphia Observe vital signs and level of consciousness Observe fluid and electrolyte balance Observe psychosocial changes: personality and behavioral changes, difficulty making decisions, anxiety

3. Brain Tumor References Nanda Nursing Interventions (website) http://nanda-nursinginterventions.blogspot.com/2012/08/nursing-care-plan-for- brain-tumor.html

4. Brain Tumor Vocabulary Hemiparesisweakness of the entire left or right side of the body Hemiplegiacomplete paralysis of half of the body Hyperesthesiaabnormal increase in sensitivity to stimuli of the sense (tactile hyperesthesia, auditory hyperesthesia) Paresthesiasensation of tingling, tickling, pricking, or burning of the skin with no apparent and obvious long-term physical effect Asteregnosisinability to feel the sharp edges Agnosiainability to recognize objects in general Apraxiainability to use a tool properly Agraphiainability to write