Head and Neck Flashcards
Common or Concerning Symptoms
Headache Change in vision Double Vision Hearing loss, earache, tinnitus Vertigo Epistaxis (nosebleed) Sore throat, hoarseness Swollen glands Trauma
Classic Migraine
Unilateral in 70% Pulsating or throbbing Hours to days Female Nausea/ vomiting Missing meal, menses, BCP, stress, certain foods
Cluster Headache
Cluster Adulthood Unilateral 1/2 to 2 hours Intense burning, searing, knife-like Several nights for several days then gone Males Increased tearing/ nasal discharge
Tension Headache
Adulthood Unilateral or Bilateral Hours to days Anytime Band-like, constricting No prodrome (early symptom) Stress, anger, teeth grinding
Medication Rebound
Diffuse Hours Hours or days of last dose Dull or throbbing Daily analgesics (painkillers) Abrupt analgesic stop
Hyperthyroidism
Nervousness Weight loss Excessive sweating heat intolerance Warm, smooth, moist skin Graves disease Tachycardia
Hypothyroidism
Fatigue, lethargy Modest weight gain Dry coarse skin, cold intolerance Swelling of face, hands, legs Bradycardia Impaired memory
Thyroid Dysfunction
one of the most common missed diagnosis because not all symptoms show up
Questions to ask regarding Head Traumas patient awake and oriented
Mechanism of injury Time of injury Loss of consciousness immediately post-injury Subsequent level of alertness Amnesia - retrograde or antegrade Headache - mild, moderate, severe Double or blurred vision Bleeding from ears, nose, mouth, eyes Seat belt worn? Ability to move ALL extremities Concussion and mild traumatic brain injury
When does the patient need to be seen at a Level 1 Trauma Center?
When the patient has fallen from a height that is at least their own height or higher
Concussion
disturbance in brain function caused by a direct or indirect force to the head
Suspect concussion in the presence of any one of these symptoms
Headache Physical signs such as unsteadiness Impaired brain function or confusion Abnormal behavior If the patient can not answer person, place and time
Sport Concussion Assessment Tool
Pre-season screening then retaken post-injury
If the results are not the same, the student has suffered concussion and will be ineligible for the rest of the season
Iowa High School Sports
No student should return to play/practice/competition on the same day of concussion
Needs medical clearance to return to play (RTP)
Medical team must follow a step-wise protocol for RTP
