Trigeminal Neuralgia In Nursing

The trigeminal nerve is one of 12 nerve pairs that are attached to the brain. The nerve has three branches that conduct sensations from the three portions of the face, as well as the brain, to the oral cavity. One of the diseases that affect the trigeminal nerve is trigeminal neuralgia. Trigeminal neuralgia is defined as sudden, usually unilateral, severe, brief, stabbing recurrent episodes of pain within the distribution of one or more branches of the trigeminal nerve, which has a profound effect on quality of life (Zakrzewska & Mcmillan, 2011). It is imperative that nurses provide optimum care and benefiting interventions for the patients with trigeminal neuralgia because of its poor pain prognosis. The purpose of this paper is to discuss

Since multiple sclerosis is one of the primary risk factors for trigeminal neuralgia, it is key for the nurse to get a thorough medical history assessment. When a patient first presents with neuropathic pain symptoms, the nurse should gather a thorough history and physical examination. To provide better patient care, nurses should be familiar with neuropathic pain clinical assessment tools.(Cite/nurse). The nurse should assess if and how often a patient experiences tingling, a burning sensation, electric shocks, numbness, or pain evoked by light touch or freezing pain. (Nurse). As a nurse, the goal is to treat and prevent if possible; secondary complications, and managing symptoms to help improve their daily lives. The nurse has the responsibility to educate the patient on the medications used in the management of their condition. Therefore, the nurse should educate the patient on the use of anticonvulsant, tricyclic antidepressants and pain medications. These three nursing actions can be taken to promote optimum patient

Anticonvulsants are the primary medications used to treat TN because they reduce the excitability of ganglion neurons, preventing discharges and related volleys of pain. (Zeroing). Carbamazepine is the drug of choice, also a known anticonvulsant. It is highly effective and, in newly diagnosed patients, is likely to provide complete pain relief within a few days (Zakrzewska & Mcmillan, 2011). If this medication is not well tolerated, patients may tolerate the prodrug oxcarbazepine. This drug is usually tolerated better than Carbamazepine. Other medications that may be administered for care of the patient with TN are tricyclic antidepressants which help to reduce possible pain complications resulting from TN by having a central effect on pain transmission. They are able to accomplish this by blocking the active reuptake of norepinephrine and