Term
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Definition
| Immediate transient loss of brain function at the brain stem due to trauma |
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Term
| What are characteristics of a concussion? |
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Definition
| Loss of consciousness, cannot remember before and after, confused & lethargic, vomiting, 24-48 hours later symptoms gone, headaches up to six months after |
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Term
| What are the types of closed head injuries? |
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Definition
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Term
| What is a contusion of the brain? |
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Definition
| Small hemorrhage from a tear or laceration of the brain; can cause seizures or hemiplegia |
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Term
| What is the coup/contracoup? |
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Definition
Coup- impact
Contracoup- brain smashing skull |
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Term
| What are the kinds of skull fractures? |
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Definition
1. Depressed fracture- fragment of bone in the brain
2. Basilar skull fracture
3. Linear fracture
4. Compound fracture |
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Term
| What are complications of a subdural hematoma? |
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Definition
| Venous bleeding between the dura and the brain that causes ICP to rise and pushes the brain on the other side of the tentorial plate pushing on the lower brain functions. The brain then begins to push through the foramen magnum. Secondly, as it tries to resolve the RBCs try to breakdown the clot and absorb fluid causing an increase in ICP. Can also be a sign of abuse. |
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Term
| What are complications with an epidural hematoma? |
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Definition
| An epidural hematoma occurs on the outside of the dura where arteries are torn. Worse than a subdural hematoma. |
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Term
| What is an acute subdural hematoma? |
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Definition
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Term
| What is a gradual subdural hematoma? |
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Definition
| Symptoms get worse over weeks due to the clots breaking down causing a rise in ICP. Babies from 2-6 months can have gradual subdural hematomas from birth |
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Term
| What are symptoms of subdural hematomas? |
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Definition
Anemia
Seizures
vomiting
bulging fontanelles
Headaches
Lethargy
Unsteady gait |
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Term
| What diagnostic tool can show bleeding? |
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Definition
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Term
| What are assessment findings that could indicate mild brain injury? |
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Definition
1. No loss (or brief loss) of consciousness
2. Mild headache that will not go away with medications
3. Memory problems
4. Fatigue & irritability
5. Change in appetite
6. Changes in school performance
7. Sensitivity to lights and sounds |
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Term
| What are assessment findings that could indicate moderate brain injury? |
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Definition
1. Glassgow 9 to 12
2. Loss of consciousness
3. Headache
4. Nausea & vomiting
5. Amnesia for 1 to 24 hours |
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Term
| What are assessment findings that could indicate severe brain injury? |
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Definition
1. Glassgow less than 8
2. Amnesia for more than 24 hours
3. Signs of increased ICP
4. Prolonged period of unconsciousness |
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Term
| How do you manage mild brain injury? |
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Definition
1. monitor LOC
2. Watch for signs of rising ICP
3. Restriction on activities
4. may take up to 6 weeks for full recovery |
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Term
| How do you manage severe brain injury? |
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Definition
1. Airway, breathing & circulation; Hyperventilation (constricts blood vessels
2. Assess Neuro status
3. Extra-ventricular drainage device
4. Elevate head of bed to 30 degrees if there is no neck injury
5. Keep head midline
6. Monitor vital signs, intake & output, and ICP (cushing's triad)
7. Skin care & ROM |
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Term
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Definition
1. Increasing systolic BP
2. Decreasing Pulse
3. Altered respirations |
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Term
| What drugs are given for severe brain injuries? |
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Definition
1. Diuretics (furosemide, mannitol)
2. Ophthalmic lubricants to protect the cornea (coma patients)
3. Stool softeners
4. Sedatives, if paralytics are needed (ventilation)
5. Decadron |
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Term
| What are considerations for using mannitol & what does it do? |
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Definition
| Diuretic that decreases ICP, fast acting, cannot be given more than 3 times in 24 hours |
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Term
| What are when using Decadron & what does it do? |
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Definition
| Steroid that decreases ICP but takes 12 hours to work, it is 10x more powerful than prednisone, always check for blood sugars/diabetes prior to administration |
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Term
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Definition
| normal ICP is 10-15 mm hg |
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Term
| What type of monitors are used for ICP? |
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Definition
| Extra-ventricular drainage device |
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Term
| What are complications of traumatic brain injury? |
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Definition
| Brain herniation, Learning disaabilities, Seizures, Hydrocephalus |
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