Chapter 31 - Head Trauma

Question 1

anterograde amnesia

Answer 1

inability to remember circumstances after an incident.

Question 2

Battle sign

Answer 2

discoloration of the mastoid suggesting basilar skull fracture.

Question 3

brainstem

Answer 3

a funnel shaped inferior part of the brain that controls most automatic functions of the body. It is made up of the pons, the midbrain, and the medulla, which is the brains connection to the spinal cord.

Question 4

cerebellum

Answer 4

part of the brain controlling equilibrium and muscle coordination.

Question 5

cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

Answer 5

a clear fluid that surrounds and cushions the brain and the spinal cord.

Question 6

cerebrum

Answer 6

largest part of the brain, responsible for most conscious and sensory functions, the emotions, and the personality.

Question 7

concussion

Answer 7

mild injury that causes temporary loss of brain function.

Question 8

consensual reflex

Answer 8

same or similar reaction of the unstimulated pupil when the other pupil is stimulated, as when a light is shined into one pupil and both pupils contract.

Question 9

contusion

Answer 9

a closed injury to the cells and blood vessels contained within the dermis that is characterized by discoloration, swelling, and pain; a bruise; bruising or swelling of the brain.

Question 10

Cushing reflex

Answer 10

a protective reflex by the body to maintain perfusion of the brain in a head injured patient with increased intracranial pressure. The systolic blood pressure increases, heart rate decreases, and the respiratory pattern changes. This syndrome indicates severe head injury.

Question 11

diplopia

Answer 11

double vision

Question 12

epidural Hematoma

Answer 12

bleeding between the dura mater and the skull.

Question 13

extension posturing

Answer 13

a posture in which the patient arches the back and extends the arms straight out parallel to the body. A sign of serious head injury. Also called decerebrate posturing.

Question 14

flexion posturing

Answer 14

a posture in which the patient arches the back and flexes the arms inward toward the chest. A sign of serious head injury. Also called decorticate posturing.

Question 15

herniation

Answer 15

potentially deadly side effect of very high intracranial pressure that occurs when a part of the brain is squeezed across structures within the skull.

Question 16

laceration

Answer 16

an open injury usually caused by forceful imp ace with a sharp object and characterized by a wound whose edges may be linear (smooth and regular) or stellate (jagged and irregular) in appearance; a wound that penetrates the brain.

Question 17

meninges

Answer 17

layers of tissue protecting the brain. They include the dura mater, the arachnoid, and the pia mater.

Question 18

raccoon sign

Answer 18

discoloration of the tissue around the eyes suggestive of basilar skull injury.

Question 19

retrograde amnesia

Answer 19

inability to remember circumstances prior to an incident.

Question 20

subdural hematoma

Answer 20

bleeding between the brain and the dura mater.