chapter 31 Head Trauma Flashcards
a loss of the ability to create new memories after the event that caused the amnesia, leading to a partial or complete inability to recall the recent past, while long-term memories from before the event remain intact.
anterograde amnesia
also mastoid ecchymosis, is an indication of fracture of middle cranial fossa of the skull, and may suggest underlying brain trauma.
Battle’s sign consists of bruising over the mastoid process, as a result of extravasation of blood along the path of the posterior auricular artery
Battle signs
the funnel shaped inferior part and is the best protected portion. It controls most automatic functions of the body
brainstem
(the little brain) controls equilibrium and coordinates muscle activity
cerebellum
the brain is cushioned in a dense serous substance called
cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
the largest part of the brain and is responsible for most conscious and sensory functions, the emotions, and personality
cerebrum
a minor traumatic brain injury that may occur when the head hits an object, or a moving object strikes the head.
concussion
The reaction of both pupils when only one eye is exposed to a change in light intensity. Also known as consensual eye reflex.
consensual reflex
is an injury to the muscle, bone, or soft tissue of the body. (bruise)
contusion
a hypothalamic response to ischemia, usually due to poor perfusion (delivery of blood) in the brain.
presents as an increase in systolic and pulse pressure, reduction of the heart rate (bradycardia), and irregular respiration
Cushing reflex
commonly known as double vision, is the simultaneous perception of two images of a single object that may be displaced horizontally, vertically, or diagonally (i.e. both vertically and horizontally) in relation to each other
diplopia
a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in which a buildup of blood occurs between the dura mater (the tough outer membrane of the central nervous system) and the skull.
epidural hematoma
an abnormal body posture that involves the arms and legs being held straight out, the toes being pointed downward, and the head and neck being arched backwards. The muscles are tightened and held rigidly.
This type of posturing usually means there has been severe damage to the brain.
- Bleeding in the brain from any cause (intracranial hemorrhage)
- Brain stem tumor
- Cerebral infarction (stroke)
- Encephalopathy (brain problem due to drugs, poisoning, or infection)
- Head injury
- Hepatic encephalopathy (brain problem due to liver failure)
- Increased pressure in the brain from any cause
- Primary brain tumor
- Secondary brain tumor
extension posturing
is an abnormal posturing in which a person is stiff with bent arms, clenched fists, and legs held out straight. The arms are bent in toward the body and the wrists and fingers are bent and held on the chest.
This type of posturing is a sign of severe damage in the brain. sign of damage to the nerve pathway between the brain and spinal cord
Causes:
•Bleeding in the brain (intracranial hemorrhage)
•Brain tumor
•Head injury
•Increased intracranial pressure from any cause
•Stroke
•Worsening of brain function that occurs from liver damage, infections in the brain, and other causes
flexion posturing
the protrusion of an organ or the fascia of an organ through the wall of the cavity that normally contains it.
herniation
