Chapter 26: Head and Spinal Trauma

Question 1

The central nervous system is divided into three areas. What are the three areas

Answer 1

cerebrum, cerebellum, brain stem

Question 2

What controls the body’s vital organs?

Answer 2

ANS

Question 3

How many vertebrae are in the thoracic region of the spinal cord?

Answer 3

12

Question 4

Bruising behind the ear is known as ________, and it is considered a later sign of a head injury.

Answer 4

battles sign

Question 5

What is the most common complication of a head injury?

Answer 5

cerebral edema

Question 6

Using the Glasgow Coma Scale, what total score would you give a patient who opens his eyes to your voice, answers all questions correctly, and is able to obey your motor commands?

Answer 6

14

Question 7

When you suspect a head or spinal injury, how would you open the airway?

Answer 7

jaw thrust

Question 8

When treating a patient with a helmet on, you should remove the helmet only when:

Answer 8

you are otherwise unable to maintain an airway

Question 9

If you do not have a pediatric backboard, how should you stabilize a child on a regular backboard?

Answer 9

pad the shoulders

Question 10

A(n) _________ bleed is bleeding that occurs outside the dura mater in the skull.

Answer 10

epidural

Question 11

When immobilizing a patient to a long backboard, which part of the body should be secured last?

Answer 11

head

Question 12

Which of the following statements about transferring a patient sitting in an automobile to a long backboard is true?

• The patient should always be removed from the vehicle feet first.
• The patient should be secured to a short board first and then moved to the long board.
• If the patient is conscious and alert, ask him or her to slide onto the long backboard while you maintain manual in-line stabilization of the spine.

Answer 12

-The patient should be secured to a short board first and then moved to the long board.

Question 13

How many EMTs does it take to properly immobilize a standing patient to a long backboard?

Answer 13

3

Question 14

The human nervous system can be divided into two parts: the ____ and ___

Answer 14

CNS and PNS

Question 15

The CNS consists of the ______

Answer 15

brain and the spinal cord

Question 16

the peripheral nervous system consists of a ______, like cables, that transmit information to and from the body’s organs to and from the brain.

Answer 16

network of nerve fibers

Question 17

The CNS is also covered and protected by three layers of tissue called the meninges. The layers are called the ___, ____, and the ___

Answer 17

dura mater, the arachnoid, and the pia mater.

Question 18

A ____ is a traumatic injury to the head that may result in injury to soft tissue, bony structures, or the brain.

Answer 18

head injury

Question 19

A _____ is a severe head injury that can be a life threat or leave the patient with life-altering injuries.

Answer 19

traumatic brain injury

Question 20

Motor vehicle crashes, direct blows, falls from heights, assault, and sports injuries are common causes of _____. A patient who has experienced any of these events may have also sustained a ____.

Answer 20

spinal injury, head injury

Question 21

Treat the patient with a head injury according to three general principles that are designed to protect and maintain the critical functions of the CNS: ____, ____, and ___

Answer 21

establish an adequate airway, control bleeding, and reassess the patient’s baseline level of consciousness.

Question 22

Treat the patient with a spinal injury by _____, _____, and _____

Answer 22

maintaining the airway while keeping the spine in proper alignment, assess respirations, and give supplemental oxygen.

Question 23

What type of peripheral nerves carry information from the brain to the body via the spinal cord?

Answer 23

Sensory nerves

Question 24

What type of intracranial bleeding occurs beneath the dura mater but outside of the brain?

Answer 24

subdural hematoma

Question 25

What type of injury is caused by a bruise to the brain?

Answer 25

contusion

Question 26

What five questions should you ask a patient with possible spinal injuries?

Answer 26

1. What happened?
2. Where does it hurt?
3. Does your neck or back hurt?
4. Can you move your hands and feet?
5. Did you hit your head?

Question 27

A patient who opens his eyes when you say his name, is confused when he speaks, and localizes pain would receive what score on the Glasgow Coma Scale?

Answer 27

12

Question 28

What procedure can be used to control most bleeding from scalp lacerations?

Answer 28

Direct pressure

Question 29

What is Cushing’s triad?

Answer 29

hypertension, bradycardia, irregular respirations (cheyne-stokes, hyperventilation, biot respirations)

Question 30

_____ (irregular rate, pattern, and depth of breathing)

Answer 30

biot respirations