5- Monitoring of patients with traumatic brain injury

Question 1

List 2 advantages of urinary catheters in patients with TBI

Answer 1

Reduce urine scalding
Measure urine output and assess success of fluid therapy

Question 2

List a disadvantage of urinary catheterisation

Answer 2

> 50% of dogs with indwelling (staying in) catheters end up with UTIs
This is Less likely with intermittent catheterisation than with permanent indwelling

Question 3

Name 2 complications of TBI

Answer 3

Coagulopathies
pneumonia
sepsis
transient or permanent central diabetes insipidus
seizures

Question 4

Name 2 prognosis factors in TBI

Answer 4

age
cause of injury
glasgow coma motor score
pupil response to light

Question 5

T/F skull radiographs helpful when assessing TBI

Answer 5

False- don’t provide any clinically useful info about brain injury
useful for looking at fractures of the calvaria

Question 6

What is the preferred imaging modality for patients with TBI

Answer 6

CT
allows good visualisation of fractures and per-acute haemorrhage