Chapter 26: Head and Spinal Trauma Flashcards
The central nervous system is divided into three areas. What are the three areas
cerebrum, cerebellum, brain stem
What controls the body’s vital organs?
ANS
How many vertebrae are in the thoracic region of the spinal cord?
12
Bruising behind the ear is known as ________, and it is considered a later sign of a head injury.
battles sign
What is the most common complication of a head injury?
cerebral edema
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?
14
When you suspect a head or spinal injury, how would you open the airway?
jaw thrust
When treating a patient with a helmet on, you should remove the helmet only when:
you are otherwise unable to maintain an airway
If you do not have a pediatric backboard, how should you stabilize a child on a regular backboard?
pad the shoulders
A(n) _________ bleed is bleeding that occurs outside the dura mater in the skull.
epidural
When immobilizing a patient to a long backboard, which part of the body should be secured last?
head
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.
-The patient should be secured to a short board first and then moved to the long board.
How many EMTs does it take to properly immobilize a standing patient to a long backboard?
3
The human nervous system can be divided into two parts: the ____ and ___
CNS and PNS
The CNS consists of the ______
brain and the spinal cord
the peripheral nervous system consists of a ______, like cables, that transmit information to and from the body’s organs to and from the brain.
network of nerve fibers
The CNS is also covered and protected by three layers of tissue called the meninges. The layers are called the ___, ____, and the ___
dura mater, the arachnoid, and the pia mater.
A ____ is a traumatic injury to the head that may result in injury to soft tissue, bony structures, or the brain.
head injury
A _____ is a severe head injury that can be a life threat or leave the patient with life-altering injuries.
traumatic brain injury
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 ____.
spinal injury, head injury
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 ___
establish an adequate airway, control bleeding, and reassess the patient’s baseline level of consciousness.
Treat the patient with a spinal injury by _____, _____, and _____
maintaining the airway while keeping the spine in proper alignment, assess respirations, and give supplemental oxygen.
What type of peripheral nerves carry information from the brain to the body via the spinal cord?
Sensory nerves
What type of intracranial bleeding occurs beneath the dura mater but outside of the brain?
subdural hematoma
