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Nursing Diagnosis for Trigeminal Neuralgia

Maz CK

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN), also called tic douloureux, is a chronic pain condition that affects the trigeminal or 5th cranial nerve, one of the most widely distributed nerves in the head. TN is a form of neuropathic pain (pain associated with nerve injury or nerve lesion.) The typical or "classic" form of the disorder (called "Type 1" or TN1) causes extreme, sporadic, sudden burning or shock-like facial pain that lasts anywhere from a few seconds to as long as two minutes per episode.  These attacks can occur in quick succession, in volleys lasting as long as two hours.  The “atypical” form of the disorder (called "Type 2" or TN2), is characterized by constant aching, burning, stabbing pain of somewhat lower intensity than Type 1.  Both forms of pain may occur in the same person, sometimes at the same time. The intensity of pain can be physically and mentally incapacitating.

Trigeminal neuralgia symptoms may include one or more of these patterns:

  • Episodes of severe, shooting or jabbing pain that may feel like an electric shock
  • Spontaneous attacks of pain or attacks triggered by things such as touching the face, chewing, speaking or brushing teeth
  • Bouts of pain lasting from a few seconds to several minutes
  • Episodes of several attacks lasting days, weeks, months or longer — some people have periods when they experience no pain
  • Constant aching, burning feeling that may occur before it evolves into the spasm-like pain of trigeminal neuralgia
  • Pain in areas supplied by the trigeminal nerve, including the cheek, jaw, teeth, gums, lips, or less often the eye and forehead
  • Pain affecting one side of the face at a time, though may rarely affect both sides of the face
  • Pain focused in one spot or spread in a wider pattern
  • Attacks that become more frequent and intense over time
7 Nursing Diagnosis for Trigeminal Neuralgia
Trigeminal Neuralgia

Nursing diagnosis that may appear in clients with trigeminal neuralgia are as follows :
  1. Chronic Pain related to trigeminal nerve compression and inflammation of the temporal artery.
  2. Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements related to pain when chewing
  3. Ineffective individual coping related to severe pain, excessive threats to self.
  4. Knowledge deficit; regarding the condition and need for treatment related to cognitive limitations.
  5. Anxiety related to disease prognosis and changes in health
  6. Ineffective self-health management related to lack of knowledge about preventing pain-triggering stimuli.
  7. Risk for injury ; in the eye related to risk factors: possible decreased corneal sensation

Reference :
  • Ackley, Betty J., Gail B. Ladwig. 2013. Nursing Diagnosis Handbook: An Evidence-Based Guide to Planning Care, Tenth Edition. United State of America : Elsevier
  • https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Trigeminal-Neuralgia-Fact-Sheet
  • https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/trigeminal-neuralgia/symptoms-causes/syc-20353344

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Nursing Diagnosis Trigeminal Neuralgia