Describing Anisocoria in Neurocritcally Ill Patients

Activity Summary

Required reading for all learners: Implicit Bias impacts patient outcomes

Evaluation of the pupillary light reflex (PLR) is part of the standard neurologic assessment for patients with known or suspected intracranial pathology. Quantitative pupillometry (QP) is expanding clinical science research on PLR beyond the assessment of neurocritically ill patients. Anisocoria, the absolute difference in left and right pupil diameter (pupil size), has been suggested as an important clinical biomarker. However, the definition of anisocoria is imprecise. Little evidence describes how QP can help define anisocoria and assess neurologically ill patients for anisocoria. Nurses, more than members of other professions, are tasked with frequent assessment of patients with neurologic injury.

Objectives

Describe the advantages and disadvantages of using quantitative pupillometry to evaluate the pupillary light reflex.
List the various pupil size difference cutpoints used to define anisocoria.
Discuss the implications of after-light stimulus anisocoria as a novel biomarker of brain injury.

Continuing Education Disclosure Statement

Successful Completion

Learners must complete the entire activity and the associated evaluation to be awarded contact hours AND read Implicit Bias impacts patient outcomes. No partial credit will be awarded.

Accreditation

The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.
Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider number CEP 1036, for {contactHours} contact hours.

Disclosures

Any relevant relationship between an ineligible company and an individual with the ability to influence clinical content will be identified by the Nurse Planner within the activity. Any relevant relationship between an ineligible company and an individual with the ability to influence clinical content has been mitigated.

Accreditation refers to recognition of continuing education only and does not imply AACN, ANCC, or CBRN approval or endorsement of any commercial products discussed or displayed in conjunction with this educational activity. Activities with pharmacology hours are to assist the APRN in fulfilling the pharmacotherapeutic education requirements for licensure and certification renewals.

Activities meet the standards for most states that require mandatory continuing education for license and/or certification renewal. AACN recommends consulting with your own state board of nursing or credentialing organization before submitting your certificate of completion.

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Continuing Education Activities are nonrefundable.