CONCUSSION Flashcards
What are the categorizations on the GCS?
Severe
If a patient is looking at you, can verbally respond to you and is able to shake your hand, what is their GCS?
15
What are the 3 types of tissue deformation?
Compression
Tensile (stretching)
Shear (tissue sliding over tissue)
If a patient, hours after a head injury, has intracellular swelling, electrolyte imbalances, and has increased cytokines – what is occurring?
Secondary injury on the microscopic level
What are the classic signs for a basilar skull fracture?
Battle’s sign, Raccoon eyes, CSF rhinorrhea or otorrhea, and hemotympanum
What must you always do on PE when looking at a patient who could possibly have a concussion?
Pupils, CN’s, muscle tone, reflexes, strength, sensation, GCS, and heart/lungs
What diagnostic test can you do to rule out more serious injuries other than a mild concussion?
CT
What are some of sxs of a concussion?
Vacant stare, delayed verbal expression (slow to answer questions), inability to focus, disorientation, slurred/incoherent speech, incoordination, emotions out of proportion, memory deficits, and any period of LOC
What is secondary impact?
When they get injured again, they end up with diffuse cerebral swelling
How should a patient return to activities after a concussion?
Stepwise!!
What should you never use to treat a patient with a mild concussion?
NARCOTICS
What are 3 adverse post-traumatic event that could occur?
Post-traumatic seizures, epilepsy, and vertigo
If a patient presents several week after a concussion with HA, dizziness, vertigo, memory problems, and sleeping problems, what might they have?
Post-Concussion Syndrome
If on neuroimaging you see white matter lesions, should you be concerned?
Usually non-specific
If a patient has repetitive mild TBI’s (like an NFL player) what are we concerned about?
Dementia, plaques, and tau proteins!
