What therapeutics topic should I review for a neurosurg rotation ?

[UES Girl]

I'm thinking so far:

• epilepsy
• corticosteroids
• acute and chronic pain management

Am I forgetting something ? What sort of things should I be proficient at or learn for this rotation knowledge wise ? I have 2-3 days to get ready.

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[PharMed2016]

Don't forget stroke and hypertensive emergencies. Those people in neuro are fond of Cardene.

 

[njac]

subarachnoid hemorrhage; treatments for aneurysm (who requires AED prophy, who doesn't, which IVCs need abx prophy and what, etc etc)

 

[confettiflyer]

other basic things: neuro lingo -- cranies, c-spines, etc...

also, general knowledge: criteria for brain death, overview of anatomy

and non-specific stuff applicable to most ICU's: ventilator settings, ID, sedation/analgesia, paralytics, anticoagulation reversal

 

[psychoandy]

I'm assuming this is an icu rotation. The bread and butter of neurosurg is usually postoperative stuff; is neurology involved as well? That being said things that I had to learn to cover neuro are:

Surgical abx prophylaxis
Primary/secondary prevention of stroke
Meningitis
How to manage increased icp
Acute stroke/ s/p alteplase management
Knowing the difference between sah, sdh, ich, etc.
Status epilepticus, especially non benzo drugs (but this is very rare)

 

[UES Girl]

Thank you everybody for excellent tips, much appreciated.