Encephalitis is an acute inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. Encephalitis is usually caused by a virus, but may also be caused by bacteria or even fungi. In any case, encephalitis is not transmitted from person to person. It can often be traced to a mosquito or tick bite. Nursing care for encephalitis largely focuses on reducing pain and regularly monitoring the patient's level of consciousness.
Decreasing Intracranial Pressure
A nursing care plan for encephalitis should concentrate on safely reducing the increased intracranial pressure, or IICP, that the condition causes. Nursing care for encephalitis includes raising the head of the bed 30 degrees, giving oxygen as ordered, reducing stimuli around the patient, and avoiding Valsalva maneuver, i.e., coughing, sneezing and straining during bowel movements. All of these measures will help help reduce the risk of any further IICP and inflammation. The nursing care plan goal is that there will be no signs of intracranial pressure.
Relieving Hyperthermia
Patients with encephalitis often have hyperthermia, or fever. A good nursing care plan includes reducing fever, not only for a patient's discomfort, but because fever can increase intracranial pressure. Typical nursing care plans that work to reduce hyperthermia in encephalitis patients will include monitoring body temperature every four hours, administering antipyretics and lukewarm sponge baths as ordered by the physician, and monitoring the patient for signs of dehydration.
Alleviating Pain
Encephalitis can cause severe headaches. The goal of the nursing care plan is for the patient with encephalitis to be completely pain-free. Interventions on the care plan will include positioning (if it is not contraindicated by IICP) and administering mild analgesics to combat discomfort. It may be helpful to cover the patient's eyes with a cool cloth because this will reduce unnecessary stimuli and photophobia.
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