Introduction

The body’s communication and response systems are comprised of trillions of neurons, and billions of these are within the brain. When these neurons function properly, they route signals to the brain, enabling the brain and nervous system to support the body’s performance, including activities such as breathing, walking, and reading this textbook.

Sometimes, neurons are injured, which may negatively affect the brain’s ability to function. This chapter discusses disorders and diseases that injure neurons and explores how this affects the brain and the body. For patients who experience any of these conditions, nurses provide essential services as caregivers and advocates. If patients must learn to live with their disease or condition, nurses provide them with information and support to help them make this adjustment. Regardless of the patient’s disease or condition, nurses should keep in mind that they must always collaborate and communicate effectively with the patient’s health-care team. This may include physicians, neurologists, surgeons, therapists, dieticians, pharmacists, and other health-care professionals. As appropriate, nurses should work with these team members and use interdisciplinary approaches to develop a comprehensive health-care treatment plan. Working with the health-care team, nurses should monitor each patient and address changes in the patient’s care plan as needed.