Head injury

Question 1

what is the minimium and maximum GCS score and what is it baed off

Answer 1

E (4), V (5), M (6)

eyes, verbal, motor

worst - 3 (dead), best is 15 (fine)

Question 2

Describe the priamry survery of a head injury patient

Answer 2

Question 3

what would a secondary survery invovle in a head truama patient?

Answer 3

GCS, Focal neurology (CN12, peripheral nerves)- scalp and face (palapte/inspect)

Question 4

What is the imaging of choice for a Head injury

Answer 4

CT without contrast

Question 5

describe Brain injury and what we want to prevent in care

Answer 5

Local ischamia (direct truama/ contracoup)

plus

global ischameia (Cerbrela autoregulation dysfunction)

we want tot prevent secondary truamatric brain injury (further ischaemia)

Question 6

what would a secondary brain injury we exxacerbated by?

Answer 6

hypoxia

hypercapnia (iatrogenic hypocapnia)

hypotension (and hypertension)

Question 7

What are the key principles of treatment of a brain injury?

Answer 7

time is critical

goodn A (cervical)BCDE

surgery- clot, decompression

Question 8

what may be given before surgery if time to reduce brain swelling/ oedema

Answer 8

mannitol/diuretic/hypotonic saline