Final answer:
When planning long-term care for a patient after a craniotomy, the nurse must educate the patient, family, and caregiver about the potential risks and challenges they may face. This includes the possibility of developing seizures, changes in personality and cognition, and the need for referrals to address residual deficits.
Step-by-step explanation:
When planning long-term care for a patient after a craniotomy, the nurse must include several important considerations when teaching the patient, family, and caregiver:
- Seizure disorders may occur in weeks or months: It is important to educate the patient and their caregivers about the risk of developing seizures after a craniotomy. They should be taught to recognize the signs and symptoms of seizures and what to do in case of an emergency.
- There are often residual changes in personality and cognition: After a craniotomy, some patients may experience changes in their personality and cognitive abilities. The nurse should educate the patient, family, and caregiver about these potential changes and provide strategies to cope with them.
- Referrals will be made to eliminate residual deficits from the damage: The nurse should inform the patient, family, and caregiver that they may be referred to various healthcare professionals, such as physical therapists, occupational therapists, or speech therapists, to address any residual deficits caused by the craniotomy.