Lecture 4/Chapter 29

Question 1

Closed Head Injuries

Answer 1

The skull is intact

Question 2

Open Head Injuries

Answer 2

Penetrations or open skull fractures

Question 3

Scalp Lacerations

Answer 3

Scalp has a rich blood supply but does not cause enough blood loss to cause shock

Question 4

Signs of Basilar Skull Fractures

Answer 4

Battle’s signs and raccoons eyes

Question 5

Primary TBI

Answer 5

Direct injury; instantaneously from impact

Question 6

Secondary TBI

Answer 6

Indirect injury; increases severity of primary injury

Question 7

Cerebral Edema

Answer 7

May take hours, causes rising ICP, and hypoxia worsens it

Question 8

Intracranial Pressure

Answer 8

Normal pressure is 5-15 mmHg
Rising ICP squeezes vessels in the brain which reduces perfusion (BP must be higher than ICP for perfusion)

Question 9

Signs of Rising ICP

Answer 9

Cheyne-Stokes or Ataxic Resps., bradycardia, headache N/V, and decreased widening pulse pressure

Question 10

Cushing’s Triad

Answer 10

Caused by rising ICP; decreases blood flow, BP ruses to perfuse ischemic brain, baroreceptors sense high BP and slow pulse, finally, pressure on brain stem slows down breathing

Question 11

Concussion

Answer 11

A temporary loss or alteration of brain function without physical damage to brain
S/S: confusion/dizziness, weakness/N/V, amnesia, and slurred speech

Question 12

Cerebral Contusion

Answer 12

Bruised brain, far more serious than a concussion
Causes permanent dysfunction, bleeding/swelling likely, and may increase ICP

Question 13

Epidural Hematoma

Answer 13

Fast intracranial bleeding; causes arterial bleeding, ALOC, lucid intervals, and rising ICP

Question 14

Subdural Hematoma

Answer 14

Slow intracranial bleeding; causes venous bleeding, fluctuating LOC, slurred speech, and rising ICP