(17) Head and Neck Trauma

Question 1

mastoid process

Answer 1

round projection on the temporal bone behind the ear

Question 2

foramen magnum

Answer 2

opening of the occipital bone through which the spinal cord passes

Question 3

sub arachnoid space

Answer 3

the space between the arachnoid mater and the pia mater, it is the space where csf circulates

Question 4

brain herniation

Answer 4

process by which increased icp pushes the brain through the foramen magnum

Question 5

Kushing’s reflex

Answer 5

a group of symptoms that indicate a sever brain injury;

1. increased systolic bp
2. increased pulse rate
3. change in respiratory pattern

Question 6

purposeful response

Answer 6

when a patient withdraws or swats away pain

Question 7

intracerebral bleeding

Answer 7

bleeding within the brain tissue itself

Question 8

retrograde amnesia

Answer 8

can not remember the past

Question 9

anterograde amnesia

Answer 9

can not form new memories

Question 10

concussion

Answer 10

a rough jarring of the brain creating temporary neurologic s/s

Question 11

coup counter coup brain injury

Answer 11

smashing of the front and back of the brain

Question 12

meninges

Answer 12

membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord

Question 13

aniscoria

Answer 13

unequal pupils

Question 14

DAI

Answer 14

Diffuse axonal injury

Question 15

diffuse axonal injury

Answer 15

an injury resulting in stretching, sheering or tearing of nerve fibers

Question 16

extension posturing

Answer 16

arching the back, and extending the arms to the sides, in response to pain

Question 17

flexion posturing

Answer 17

arching the back and flexing the arms across the chest in response to pain

Question 18

open head injury

Answer 18

injury in which the brain is exposed

Question 19

closed head injury

Answer 19

injury in which the the brain is not exposed

Question 20

What part of the skull is a common location for a basilar skull fracture;

1. Mandible
2. Cribiform plate
3. Ethmoid
4. Temporal bone

Answer 20

2. cribiform plate

Question 21

which is the most common type of skull fracture?

Answer 21

linear

Question 22

Which vital sign finding should the EMT attempt to correct if the patient has a suspected brain​ injury?

A. Blood pressure of​ 86/62
B. Pulse oximeter reading of 95 percent
C. Respiratory rate of 18 per minute
D. Heart rate of 102 beats per minute

Answer 22

A. Blood pressure of 86/62

Question 23

The EMT arrives on the scene and finds an unconscious person who sustained head trauma from an unrestrained motor vehicle collision. As the EMT prepares to transport the patient to the emergency​ department, which reassessment finding indicates a delayed sign of a skull​ fracture?

A. Clear nasal drainage
B. Unequal pupils with paralysis
C. Purplish discoloration around eyes
D. Presence of Cushing reflex

Answer 23

C. purplish discoloration of the eyes (Raccoon’s eyes)

Question 24

A​ 57-year-old man tripped and fell on the​ sidewalk, hitting his head on the concrete. According to​ witnesses, the patient was unresponsive for several minutes following the fall. Which bit of information would be most critical to relay to the physician in the emergency​ department?

A. Knee replacement two years ago
B. Known history of alcoholism
C. Treatment provided by​ on-scene witnesses
D. Position in which the patient was found

Answer 24

B. Known history of alcoholism

Question 25

You are assessing a patient who has sustained blunt trauma to the head. Which sign would be most indicative of the loss of cerebrospinal​ fluid?

A. Red-tinged fluid in the ear canal
B. Dark bruising on the forehead
C. Clear fluid coming from the nose
D. Light bruising around both eyes

Answer 25

C. clear fluid coming from the nose

Question 26

A young male patient was running through a park shortly before dawn and struck his head on a​ low-hanging branch of a tree. Emergency Medical Responders have already provided spine motion restriction precautions and are providing supplemental oxygen since the patient was initially unresponsive. During​ transport, which finding obtained during your reassessment would best indicate that the patient has experienced a​ concussion?

A. Persistent confusion
B. Unequal grip strength
C. Improving memory
D. Elevated blood pressure

Answer 26

C. improving memory