Lecture 7 - Intro to TBIs

Question 1

Sex and age breakdown for TBIs

Answer 1

TBI most common in males over females

Spike in the 15-24 age range

Increase as get older

Question 2

Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI): definition

Answer 2

“the shearing (tearing) of the brain’s long connecting nerve fibers (axons) that happens when the brain is injured as it shifts and rotates inside the bony skull.”

Question 3

Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI): causes

Answer 3

• Damage to white matter
• Changes are microscopic
• Can lead to disorders of consciousness
  (persistent vegetative state, coma)
• Difficult to see on CT Scan or MRI
• Can occur without other visible damage

Question 4

Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI): grades

Answer 4

Question 5

Classification system for TBI

Answer 5

Look at:
* duration of unconsciousness
* glasglow coma scale
* Post traumatic amnesia`

Classify as mild, moderate, severe

Question 6

Glasgow coma scale

Answer 6

Look at eye opening, motor response, and verbal response

Limitations:
* Substance use
* Administered drugs
* Intubation
* Injury to eye
* Hemiplegia
* Language