Aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage--part 1: Pre-operative nursing management diagnosis, complications and treatment: a composite case study

Patients who survive an Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Haemorrhage or ASAH describe it as being the worst headache ever, multiplied one hundred-times over. It is a debilitating and life threatening condition, which affects approximately 6.5 people per 100,000 throughout Australia and New Zealand every year (The ACROSS group, 2000). When caring for a patient post Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Haemorrhage or ASAH meticulous monitoring of the patient's neurological, cardiovascular, hepatic, endocrine, renal, and respiratory functions are vital. Due to both the initial ASAH and its complications such as rebleed, cerebral vasospasm, hydrocephalus, cerebral oedema, seizures as well as adverse reactions to counteract these potential problems. All of, which can cause significant long-term morbidity as well as potential mortality if left, undiagnosed and untreated. The following article presets a composite patient highlighting clinical manifestations of ASAH, its associated complications as well as various methods of detecting, preventing and treating them.