Master Cerebral Palsy (CP) with Picmonic for Nursing RN

Infections acquired by the mother during pregnancy may lead to the development of cerebral palsy in the fetus. Common maternal infections include rubella, varicella, cytomegalovirus, and syphilis. After birth, the newborn infant may also acquire an infection leading to brain inflammation and subsequent cerebral palsy. Newborn infections include bacterial meningitis, viral encephalitis, and severe untreated jaundice.

A difficult labor or delivery may decrease sufficient oxygen to the brain and cause fetal hypoxia. The disruption of blood supply to the developing fetal brain may cause fetal stroke and ultimately cerebral palsy.

Fetal or neonatal brain injury may cause developmental delays characterized by not reaching certain milestones at expected times. The infant may present with gross motor development delays caused by abnormal muscle development and coordination. Since cerebral palsy often affects the limbs, assess the patient's arms and legs for hypertonia or hypotonia. Cerebral palsy may also present with impaired torso control and difficulty balancing. Infant reflexes may be absent or persist after expected disappearance.

Cerebral palsy may cause neurological dysfunction including intellectual disabilities and psychiatric conditions. The patient may experience seizures, urinary incontinence, or abnormal touch and pain perception.

Muscle spasticity and involuntary movement is a common manifestation in patients with cerebral palsy. Muscle spasticity is characterized by stiff muscles and exaggerated reflexes while muscle rigidity presents with stiff muscles and normal reflexes. The patient may demonstrate jerky, uncoordinated cross-knee movements, such as taking short steps while dragging both feet. Cerebral palsy patients with ataxia lack muscle coordination.

Lack of muscle coordination in patients with cerebral palsy may cause dysphagia and present with excessive drooling. Malnutrition develops since the patient experiences difficulty with sucking and eating.

Muscle relaxants are indicated to help treat generalized spasticity in patients with cerebral palsy. Side effects of the medications include sleepiness and nausea. Examples of muscle relaxants include diazepam (Valium), dantrolene (Dantrium), and baclofen (Gablofen).

Muscle exercises implemented by physical therapy will help address muscle spasticity in patients with cerebral palsy. The exercises increase the patient's strength, flexibility, balance, motor development, and mobility.

In patients with cerebral palsy, muscle spasticity may affect the ability to walk. Assistive devices such as walkers, quadrupedal canes, and electric wheelchairs are recommended to increase the patient's mobility and independence.

In patients with cerebral palsy, braces and splints may be used to prevent contractures by stretching stiff muscles. They may also improve the patient's ability to ambulate. Muscles and tendons that are shortened by contractures may be corrected with orthopedic surgery. Selective rhizotomy is performed to severe nerves in order to relax stiff muscles and decrease pain.