head injuries

Question 1

how do you assess someone with a head injury

Answer 1

glasgow coma scale for consciousness (15 is fully conscious)

Question 2

list some complications of head injuries

Answer 2

permanent physical disability, post traumatic epilepsy, intracranial infection, psychiatric illness

Question 3

contre-coup

Answer 3

falling backwards and fracturing the frontal bone

Question 4

how does an increase in ICP cause death

Answer 4

compression of the brainstem due to herniation of the cerebellar tonsils into the foramen magnum

Question 5

what is extradural haemorrhage

Answer 5

bleeding between skull and outer surface of dura mater. Tear of middle meningeal artery

Question 6

what is a subdural haemorrhage

Answer 6

bleeding between dura and brain due to tearing of small bridging veins on the brain surface. occurs without a fracture (venous blood)
no skull fracture
less pressure so longer to accumulate

Question 7

what is a subarachnoid haemorrhage

Answer 7

effects base of circle of willis

Question 8

what is cerebral contusions

Answer 8

bruises on the brain surfaces

Question 9

what is coup

Answer 9

contusions beneath the point of impact

Question 10

what is contra coup

Answer 10

refers to an injury on the opposite side of the brain due to a secondary brain movement

Question 11

what are cerebral lacerations

Answer 11

tears on the brain surface

Question 12

what is traumatic diffuse axonal injury

Answer 12

tearing of nerve fibres in the white matter of brain
unconscious immediately if brainstem affected
falls from high heights and RTAs

Question 13

what is cerebral oedema

Answer 13

brain swelling in response to diffuse injury
may cause secondary brain ischaemia
overall it increases intracranial pressure