Trigeminal Neuralgia

Assessment

Nursing Diagnosis

Goals/Expected Outcomes

Intervention

Rationale

Evaluation

Patient reports difficulty chewing and swallowing; weight loss of 3 kg in the last month

Risk for imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements related to difficulty chewing and swallowing

– Maintain adequate nutritional intake within 1 week.

– Patient reports improved ability to eat without pain.

– Assess a patient’s nutritional status (weight, dietary intake).

– Provide soft or pureed foods that are easier to chew and swallow.

– Consult with a dietitian to ensure nutritional needs are met.

– Painful episodes may lead to avoidance of certain foods, potentially resulting in inadequate nutrition.

– Soft foods reduce discomfort during eating.

– A dietitian can help design a nutritionally balanced meal plan.

Patient maintained adequate nutritional intake within 1 week.

Patient reported improved ability to eat without pain.

Difficulty swallowing, reports of choking during meals

Risk for Aspiration related to difficulty in swallowing.

– Prevent aspiration during meals within 24 hours.

– Patient swallows without difficulty or choking.

– Assess swallowing ability before each meal.

– Position the patient upright during meals and 30 minutes after.

– Provide thickened liquids to reduce the risk of aspiration.

– Facial pain may compromise the patient’s ability to swallow effectively, increasing the risk of aspiration.

– Upright positioning reduces the risk of aspiration.

– Thickened liquids are easier to control during swallowing.

Prevent aspiration during meals within 24 hours

Patient swallows without difficulty or choking

Patient remains alone and avoids social interactions

Social Isolation related to fear of pain during social interactions as evidenced by patients remaining alone and indoors.

– Reduce social isolation within 2 weeks.

– Patient participates in at least one social activity.

– Encourage the patient to express feelings about pain and social isolation.

– Refer the patient to a support group for individuals with chronic pain.

– Plan gradual exposure to social situations, starting with a trusted friend or family member.

– Anticipation of painful episodes may lead to withdrawal from social activities, increasing the risk of social isolation.

– Expressing feelings can help reduce the emotional burden of isolation.

– Support groups provide emotional support and understanding.

– Patient reports feeling less isolated.

– Participates in social activities without significant fear of pain.

Patient stutters and struggles to articulate words during conversation

Impaired Communication related to difficulty articulating words as evidenced by patient stuttering while talking.

– Improve communication within 1 week.

– Patient articulates words more clearly.

– Assess the extent of communication difficulties.

– Provide alternative communication methods (e.g., writing, gestures).

– Encourage the patient to speak slowly and take breaks when needed.

– Painful episodes may affect the patient’s ability to articulate words clearly, impacting communication.

– Alternative methods ensure communication needs are met.

– Speaking slowly and taking breaks can reduce frustration and pain.

– Patient articulates words more clearly.

– Uses alternative communication methods effectively.

Patient reports difficulty sleeping, frequent awakenings due to pain

Altered Sleep Pattern related to trigeminal neuralgia pain disrupting normal sleep cycles as evidenced by patient verbalizing difficulty getting sleep.

– Improve sleep quality within 1 week.

– Patient reports sleeping for at least 6 hours uninterrupted.

– Assess the impact of pain on sleep patterns.

– Encourage a bedtime routine with relaxation techniques (e.g., warm bath, deep breathing).

– Administer prescribed pain medication 30 minutes before bedtime.

– Chronic pain may interfere with the patient’s ability to achieve restful sleep, potentially leading to altered sleep patterns.

– Relaxation techniques can promote sleep.

– Pain medication can reduce pain levels and improve sleep quality.

– Patient reports improved sleep quality.

– Sleeps for at least 6 hours without interruption.

Patient appears self-conscious, wears concealing clothes

Disturbed Body Image related to altered facial expressions and communication difficulties as evidenced by patient putting on concealing clothes.

– Improve body image within 2 weeks.

– Patient expresses acceptance of appearance and interacts more confidently.

– Encourage the patient to express feelings about body image.

– Provide positive reinforcement and support during social interactions.

– Refer to a counselor if needed to address self-esteem issues.

– Changes in facial appearance and communication challenges may contribute to feelings of decreased self-esteem.

– Expressing feelings can help process negative emotions.

– Counseling can provide strategies to improve self-esteem.

– Patient expresses acceptance of appearance.

– Interacts more confidently in social settings.