Brain Injury

Question 1

Hemorrhagic stroke is most commonly caused by what?

Answer 1

Ruptured embolism

Around 15% of strokes are hemorrhagic. A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when there is rupture of cerebral blood vessels resulting in bleeding and hematoma formation

2 types - intracerebral and subarachnoid

Key Difference: Intracerebral involves bleeding inside the brain, while subarachnoid involves bleeding outside the brain.

Question 2

What is important to remember about TBIs?

Answer 2

A major component of TBI treatment is the monitoring and management of intracranial pressure (ICP) and cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP)

Question 3

Explain more about what a brain injury is

Answer 3

Damage to the brain caused by trauma, such as a blow to the head or a penetrating injury.

Types:
Closed (blunt) Brain Injury: No open wound; brain damage occurs from movement within the skull.

Open (penetrating) Brain Injury: Penetrating injury that breaks the skull and damages brain tissue.

Primary Injury: Immediate damage at the time of trauma (e.g., penetration, compression, shearing forces).

Secondary Injury: Occurs hours to days later, involving inflammation, edema, bleeding, and metabolic changes. Can worsen intracranial pressure (ICP) and may be more damaging than the primary injury.

Question 4

Outline how the Glasgow Coma Scale is used to assess neurological impact of a TBI

Answer 4

Purpose: Assess consciousness level in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Scale: Ranges from 3 to 15, based on three responses:

Eye Opening (1-4): None to spontaneous.
Verbal Response (1-5): None to oriented conversation.
Motor Response (1-6): None to obeying commands.
Interpretation:

GCS 3-8: Severe TBI (coma).
GCS 9-12: Moderate TBI.
GCS 13-15: Mild TBI (conscious).