Exam 3 - Head Injury Flashcards
a head injury includes trauma to any of these 3 areas
skull
scalp
brain
at what 3 points does a death r/t head injury occur
immediately after
within 2 hours of injury
3 weeks after injury
presented warning signs 24 hours after head injury
change in LOC
seizures
bleeding, water drainage from nose or ears
projectile vomiting
loss of sensation
visual problems
pupils slow to react
___ is a diffuse head injury
concussion
what is postconussion syndrome
persistent HA
lethargy
personality, behavior changes
short attn span
decrease short-term memory
change in intellectual ability
what occurs with diffuse axonal head injury
widespread axonal injury
decrease LOC
increase ICP
decortication
decerebration
cerebral edema
what are examples of focal head injuries
lacerations
contusion
a contusion r/t to a head injury is a ___ head injury
closed
what things a contusion head injury lead to
hemorrhage
infarction
necrosis
edema
monitor for seizures
what occurs during a coup-contracoup injury
brain is shaking in the head during impact
what does coup and contacoup mean
coup: front to back
contracoup: side to side
does does an epidural hematoma occur
bleeding between the dura and inner surface of the skull
epidural and subdural hematomas are associated with ___ ___
skull fractures
s/sx of epidural hematoma
initial period of unconsciousness
brief lucid interval followed by decrease in LOC
HA
N/V
where does a subdural hematoma occur
between the dura mater and arachnoid
