2- Trauma- Head, Neck, Spine Injuries Flashcards
What happens to intracranial blood vessels as CO2 changes
High CO2- Vessel dilation
Low CO2- Vessel constriction
Define intracranial pressure
Pressure of the brain and contents in skull
Define cerebral perfusion pressure
Pressure required to perfume the brain
Define mean arterial pressure
Pressure maintained in vascular system
Cushings Triad signs, what does it indicate, what to do for it
- Increased systolic pressure
- BradyC
- Irregular resp pattern
Indicates Increased intracranial pressure
-20-30 RR for 5 min
Explain cerebral herniation syndrome
Brain is forced downward, pressure is applied to the brain stem, LOC decreases, rapid progression to coma
Cerebral herniation syndrome associated symptoms (5)
- Ipsilateral pupil dilation
- Out/downward deviation
- Contralateral paralysis or decerebrate posturing
- Respiratory arrest
What do bilaterally dilated and unreactive pupils suggest
Possible brain stem injury
What do bilaterally dilated and reactive pupils suggest
Possible ICP
Other causes of pupil changes
- Hypothermia
- Drugs
- Anoxia
- Ocular trauma
What treatment is indicated for herniation syndrome and how much for adult, children and infants and the goal
- Hyperventilation
- 20 RR, adult
25 RR, children
30 RR, infants
-Maintain 30-35 ETCO2
Concerns of facial injuries (4)
- High vasculature, can bleed briskly
- Possible airway compromise
- Aspiration
- Possible shock
Management of facial injuries (3)
- Direct pressure
- Airway support/suction
- Intubate if needed
Management for scalp wounds, stable vs nonstable
Stable- Direct pressure with dressings
Nonstable- Dressings, avoid direct pressure
*Always check for instability
3 types of skull fractures
- Linear
- Depressed
- Compound
Indications to suspect a skull fracture (2)
- Large contusion
- Darkened swelling
Management for skull fractures
-Dressing, avoid excess pressure
What is meningeal layer is damaged from a depressed skull fracture and the cause
- Dura Mater
- Small objects at high speed
Key info of open skull fractures (3)
- High mortality rate
- Multi systems trauma likely
- Meningitis likely
What is a DAI brain injury
Diffuse atonal injury
Explain a diffuse injury (3)
- Generalized edema
- No structural lesion
- Most common injury from severe blunt head trauma
Associated symptoms of diffuse axial injury (2)
- Unconscious
- No focal defects
Explain the diffuse axonal injury - Concussion (2) and symptoms (2)
- No structural injury to the brain
- Variable period of unconsciousness or confusion, followed by normal consciousness
- Short term retrograde amnesia
- Dizzy, headache, nausea, ringing in ears
Explain the diffuse axonal injury - Cerebral contusion (2) and symptoms (2)
- Bruising of the brain, swelling may be rapid and severe
- Prolonged unconsciousness, profound confusion or amnesia
- Focal neurological signs
- May have personality changes
Explain the diffuse axonal injury - Axonic brain injury (2) and what possibly helps with it
- Small cerebral artery spasm due to anoxia
- No-reflow phenomenon, can’t be restored after 4 to 6 min, after that irreversible damage occurs
-Hypothermia seems protective
Name the 3 meninges and the layer it resides (outer, middle, inner)
Dura Mater- Leather like, outer layer
Arachnoid Mater- Middle layer
Pia Mater- Very thin, inner layer, on the brain
Where does an epidural hemorrhage occur
Between the skull and the dura mater
What causes an epidural bleed
A linear or depressed skull fracture and the middle meningeal artery tears
Signs of an epidural bleed (2)
- Rapid onset
- Lucid interval
What is the lucid interval process in terms of head injuries (4)
- Go unconscious from head injury
- Regain consciousness
- Rapid bleed develops
- Unconsciousness again
Where does a subdural bleed occur and what is it
Occurs between dura mater and arachnoid mater and from a venous rupture
What causes a subdural bleed and what people is it common in
- Contusion from blunt trauma
- Common in people with repeated falls
2 key points about subdural bleeds
- They have the highest mortality rate for head bleeds
2. It’s slow developing, can take days to months
Where does an intracerebral hemorrhage occur
Directly into the brain tissue
Where does a subarachnoid hemorrhage occur
Between the arachnoid mater and pia mater