NEUROSCIENCE NURSING EXAM COMPETENCIES
CATEGORY
Anatomy and Physiology
Neurological Assessment and Diagnostics
SUB-CATEGORY
 Development of the Central nervous
system (CNS)
 Structure, characteristics and functions of
o CNS
o Peripheral nervous system
o Autonomic Nervous system
 Structure, characteristics and functions
o CSF production, circulation and
absorption
o Cerebrovascular circulation
o Blood brain Barrier
o Cranial and spinal bones
o meninges
 Neurological assessment
o LOC
o Mental status
o Cranial nerves
o motor function
o sensory function
o cerebellar function
o vital signs
o pain
o speech and language
o swallowing
o gait
o reflexes
 Common assessment measure (glasgow
coma scale, stroke assessment, spinal cord
assessment, cognitive and functional
scales)
PRESENTATION
September
September
September
PRESENTOR

General Considerations for Neuroscience
Nursing
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Traumatic Injuries of the Central Nervous
System
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Diagnostic studies, pre/post procedure
care and implication of abnormal results
o imaging
o CSF evaluation
o electrophysiologic studies
o nuclear medicine studies
o Ultrasound studies
o biopsy
o laboratory testing
October
Intracranial pressure
o principles (Munroe-Kellie,
autoregulation..)
o stages of ICP (early, late)
o factors that can impact ICP/CPP
and nursing strategies
Nursing strategies to prevent and manage;
o neurologic dysfunction (seizures,
CSF leak, Hydrocephalus...)
o systemic dysfunction/infection
(respiratory, cardiovascular,
endocrine, fluid volume status,
GI.....)
Nursing management for fluid/electrolyte
imbalances
o SIADH
o CSW
o DI
education and support to patients
nursing rehab principles
October
Brain
o pathophysiology and
manifestations (mechanism,
primary vs secondary,
classification, DAI, hemorrage.
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Spine Disorders
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concussion, contusion, skull
fractures
o treatment options (surgery,
pharmacology...)
o complications and management
(seizures, CSF leak, hydro, airway
comprimise, ICP....)
o prevention
Spinal Cord
o pathophysiology and
manifestations (mechanism, level
of injury, classification,
syndromes, shock, vertebral
fractures...)
o treatment options (stabilization,
symptom management...)
o complications and management
(neurogenic bladder, immobility,
autonomic
dysreflexia/hyperreflexia...)
o nursing strategies for care
(immobilization, pharmacological)
o prevention
Degenerative spinal disease according to
anatomical level
o spinal stenosis
o spondylolisthesis
o osteoarthritis
o intervertebral disc disease
o myelopathy
o cauda equina
Treatment options
October
November

Tumours
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Cerebrovascular Disorders
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Degenerative, Autoimmune and
Movement Disorders
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Complications and nursing strategies (CSF
leak, sensorimotor deficits,
bowel/bladder/sexual dysfunction)
Syrinxes
Pathophysiology and manifestation of
brain and spinal tumours
Treatment and nursing strategies
Management of complications
Pathophysiology and manifestation of
cerebrovascular disorders (stroke, TIA,
vasculitis, cerebral aneurysm, vascular
malformations...)
Review of affected territories and
associated symptoms
Classification of ruptured aneurysms
Treatment and nursing strategies
Management of complications
Vasospasm
Risk factors
health promotion strategies
Pathophysiology, manifestation and
treatment options of;
o dementia (alzheimers, vascular)
o movement disorders
(Huntingtons, Parkinsons,
dystonia, Tourette, Bell's, NPH)
Delerium, depression and dementia
Pathophysiology, manifestation and
treatment options of;
o autoimmune (Mysasthenia Gravis,
MS, GBS)
o degenerative neuromuscular
disease (ALS, muscular dystrophy)
November
December
December
January
January
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Infectious Disorders
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Seizure Disorders
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Pain Disorders
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Congenital disorders
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Nursing strategies to manage myasthenic
crisis and cholinergic crisis
factors believed to exacerbate symptoms
of MS and nursing strategies
Pathophysiology and manifestation of;
o meningitis
o encephalitis
o brain abcess
o spinal abcess
Treatment options
Pathophysiology and manifestation of;
o partial seizure disorders
o generalized seizure disorders
o status epilepticus
o atypical seizures
Treatment options
Pathophysiology and manifestation of;
o headaches
o trigeminal neuralgia
o neurogenic/neuropathic pain
o back pain
Treatment options
Pathophysiology and manifestation of;
o hydrocephalus
o neural tube defects
o Chiari malformations
o neurofibromatosis
Treatment options
Complications and nursing strategies for
neural tube defects
February
February
March
March