Head and Spine injuries

Question 1

Intracranial bleed

Answer 1

• internal head bleed, causes swelling of the brain and increased intracranial pressure

Question 2

Signs of intracranial bleed

Answer 2

• raccoon eyes and blood pooling behind ears
• Cushing’s triage: HR falls and BP increased so bounding, erratic pulse and RR (chainstoke breathing)
• bending or extending of limbs

Question 3

Signs and symptoms of head injury

Answer 3

• headache
• DIC head (aggressive, irritable, combative, confused)
• seizure
• N/V
• Memory loss
• increased ICP – blood/ CSF leaks out of nose, eyes, ears

Question 4

Signs and symptoms of spinal injury

Answer 4

• abnormal sensations in limbs (tingling, weakness) and motor functions (restricted CSM)
• headache
• CSF leaking out of nose and ears
• deformity and crepitus in spine
• loss of bladder/ bowel movement control