Head & Spine Injuries

Question 1

What are “Battle signs”

Answer 1

discoleration behind the ears due to skull/brain injury

Question 2

Signs & Symptoms

Concussion

Answer 2

• “Seeing stars”
• Headache
• Tinnitus
• dizziness
• lack of coordination

Question 3

What is ICP?

Answer 3

Intracranial Pressure

Question 4

Define

Cushings Triad

Answer 4

set of signs that indicate interacranial pressure

Question 5

Signs & Symptoms

Cushings Triad

Answer 5

• Increasing Blood pressure
• Decreasing Heart rate
• Decreasing Resporations

This is the triad

Question 6

If signs of Cusings Triad what do you d?

Answer 6

Hyperventilate at 20 breaths/min (1 every 3 sec)

Question 7

Define

Epidural Hematoma

Answer 7

An accumulation of blood between the skull and
the dura mater.

Question 8

Define

Subdural Hematoma

Answer 8

An accumulation of blood beneath the dura mater but outside the brain.

Question 9

Define

Intracerebral hematoma

Answer 9

Bleeding within the brain tissue
(parenchyma) itself; also referred to as an intraparenchymal hematoma.

Question 10

Define

Subarrachnoid Hemorrhage

Answer 10

Bleeding into the subarachnoid space, where the cerebrospinal fluid circulates

Question 11

Define

Closed head injury

Answer 11

Injury in which the brain has been injured but the skin has not been broken and there is no obvious bleeding.

Question 12

Define

Anterograde (posttraumatic) amnesia

Answer 12

Inability to remember events
after an injury.

Question 13

Define

Axial loading injuries

Answer 13

Injuries in which load is applied along the vertical or longitudinal axis of the spine, which results in load being transmitted along the entire length of the vertebral column; for example, falling from a height and landing on the feet in an
upright position.

Question 14

Define

Basilar skull fractures

Answer 14

Fractures that usually occur following diffuse impact to the head (eg, falls, motor vehicle crashes); generally result from extension of a linear fracture to the base of the skull and can be difficult to diagnose with a radiograph.

Question 15

Define

Battle sign

Answer 15

Bruising behind an ear over the mastoid process that may indicate a skull fracture.

Question 16

Define

central neurogenic hyperventilation

Answer 16

An abnormal breathing pattern associated with increased ICP that is characterized by deep, rapid breathing; this pattern is similar to Kussmaul respirations, but without an acetone breath odor.

Question 17

Define

Cerebral edema

Answer 17

Swelling of the brain.

Question 18

Define

Concussion

Answer 18

A temporary loss or alteration of part or all of the brain’s abilities to function without actual physical damage to the brain.

Question 19

Define

Coup-contrecoup injury

Answer 19

A brain injury that occurs when force is applied to the head and energy transmission through brain tissue causes injury on the opposite side of original impact

Question 20

Define

Eyes-forward position

Answer 20

A head position in which the patient’s eyes are looking straight ahead and the head and torso are in line.

Question 21

Define

Linear skull fractures

Answer 21

Fractures that commonly occur in the
temporoparietal region of the skull and that are not associated with deformities to the skull; account for 80% of skull fractures; also referred to as nondisplaced skull fractures.

Question 22

Define

Meninges

Answer 22

Three distinct layers of tissue that surround and protect the brain and the spinal cord within the skull and the spinal canal.

Question 23

Define

Open head injury

Answer 23

Injury to the head often caused by a penetrating object in which there may be bleeding and exposed brain tissue.

Question 24

Define

Raccoon eyes

Answer 24

Bruising under the eyes that may indicate a skull fracture.

Question 25

# Define Retrograde amnesia

Answer 25

The inability to remember events leading up to a head injury.

Question 26

# Define Secondary (indirect) injury

Answer 26

The aftereffects of the primary injury; includes abnormal processes such as cerebral edema, increased intracranial pressure, cerebral ischemia and hypoxia, and infection; onset is often delayed following the primary brain injury

Question 27

What are the two anatomic parts into which the human nervous system is divided?

Answer 27

The CNS (Central Nervous System) and the PNS (Peripheral Nervous System).

Question 28

What makes up the CNS?

Answer 28

The brain and the spinal cord.

Question 29

What is the function of the PNS?

Answer 29

It's a network of nerve fibers that transmit information between the body's organs and the brain.

Question 30

How is the brain protected?

Answer 30

By bony structures (the skull) and the meninges.

Question 31

How is the spinal cord protected?

Answer 31

By the bony structures of the spinal column and the meninges.

Question 32

What are the three layers of tissue that cover the CNS (brain and spinal cord)?

Answer 32

The meninges: dura mater, the arachnoid, and the pia mater.

Question 33

What is a head injury?

Answer 33

A traumatic injury to the head that may result in injury to the soft tissue, bony structures, or the brain.

Question 34

What is a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)?

Answer 34

A severe head injury that can be life-threatening or leave the patient with life-altering injuries

Question 35

What parts of the spinal column are most vulnerable to injury?

Answer 35

The cervical, thoracic, and lumbar portions.

Question 36

What are some common mechanisms of spinal injury?

Answer 36

Compression (such as in a fall), unnatural motion (like hyperextension or hyperflexion), trauma, pulling forces (like hanging), or a combination of mechanisms.

Question 37

What are common causes of spinal injury?

Answer 37

Motor vehicle crashes, direct blows, falls from heights, assault, and sports injuries. (A patient with a head injury may also have sustained a spinal injury).

Question 38

What are the three general principles for treating a patient with a head injury?

Answer 38

1. Establish an adequate airway. 2. Control bleeding. 3. Reassess the patient's baseline level of consciousness.

Question 39

What is a key principle in treating a patient with a spinal injury?

Answer 39

Treat the patient with spinal injury by maintaining the airway while keeping the spine in proper alignment, assessing respirations, and giving supplemental oxygen.

Question 40

Why is rapid transport to the hospital recommended for patients with potential spinal injuries?

Answer 40

Because prompt spinal restriction precautions and quick transport reduce the chances for survival or a reduction in the amount of irreversible damage.

Question 41

Why are infants and young children more susceptible to shock with head/spinal injuries?

Answer 41

They have a greater surface area to body mass ratio and can lose heat and blood volume more quickly. (The text mentions providing oxygen, keeping the airway open, treating for shock, and providing immediate transport for them).

Question 42

In older people, what might be a sign of a subdural hematoma?

Answer 42

Changes in personality, signs and symptoms of the condition may not occur for several hours, days, or weeks after the injury.