CH. 28

Question 1

Answers to Assessment in Action Questions

Answer 1

Answers to Assessment in Action Questions

1. Answer: D an epidural hematoma.
2. Answer: B An ALS intercept
3. Answer: A Head
4. Answer: A lucid interval
5. Answer: B Decreased level of consciousness, confusion, nausea
6. Answer: C Increased intracranial pressure
7. Answer: D Temporal
8. Answer: An epidural hematoma is the accumulation of blood between the skull and the dura mater (lining of the brain). The patient often experiences an immediate loss of consciousness followed by a brief period of consciousness. The patient may experience confusion, nausea, vomiting, and agitation. A subdural hematoma is an accumulation of blood below the dura mater but outside of the brain. Subdural hematomas usually occur after a rapid deceleration force and are more common than epidural hematomas. Symptoms of a subdural hematoma usually present slower because the bleeding is related to the rupture of veins that bridge the cerebral cortex and dura. This patient will often present with fluctuating levels of consciousness or slurred speech.
9. Answer: A primary, or direct, injury is an injury to the brain and its associated structures that results instantaneously from impact to the head. A secondary, or indirect, injury occurs as a result of the primary injury. Examples of secondary injuries include cerebral edema, intracerebral hemorrhage, infection, hypoxia, and increased intracranial pressure.
10. Answer: The brain is very sensitive to low levels of perfusion and oxygen. By carefully monitoring your patient, recognizing hypoxia and/or hypotension, and properly managing your patient, you can help prevent secondary brain injury resulting from these serious changes.