Midterm #2 (Lecture 17 - Traumatic Brain Injury and Stroke)

Question 1

What is a traumatic brain injury?

Answer 1

TBI is brain damage cause by impact to the brain

Question 2

Open vs. closed injuries

Answer 2

Open = injury penetrates the skull (ALWAYS extremely serious)
Closed = Don’t penetrate skull (range from mild to severe)

Question 3

What determines functional losses?

Answer 3

Location of injury
Severity of damage
Brain recovery afterwards (plasticity of brain)

Question 4

What is the scale for severity of TBI?

Answer 4

Mild - brief, if any loss of consciousness, vomiting and dizziness, lethargy, memory loss
Moderate - unconscious up to 24 hours, signs of brain trauma, contusions of bleeding, signs of injury on neuroimaging
Severe - Unconscious for more than 24 hours (coma), signs of injury on neuroimaging

Question 5

Incidence rates
>___,___ Canadians sustain brain injuries each year

Answer 5

> 160,000 Canadians sustain brain injuries each year
1 million Canadians live with the effects of acquired brain injury
Young people are more commonly affected
Motor vehicle accidents account for 50%

Question 6

What is a stroke?

Answer 6

A sudden loss of brain function due to the interruption of blood flow to the brain.

Question 7

Stats:

Answer 7

Leading cause of adult neurological impairment in Canada
3rd leading cause of death
Every year 50,000 Canadians experience stroke
- 10% recover almost completely
- 25% recover with minor impairments
- 40% experience moderate to severe impairments
- 10% reside in a long-term care facility
- 15% die shortly after the stroke

Question 8

Types of stroke

Answer 8

Ischemic stroke
Hemorrhagic stroke
Transient ischemic attack (TIA)

Question 9

What is an Ischemic stroke?

Answer 9

Thrombotic - clot forms in artery of the brain
Embolic - Clot forms elsewhere and travels to the brain via blood
* 80% of strokes
* Result of interruption of blood flow to the brain caused by a blood clot.
* The build up of plaque in the arteries is involved in most strokes

Question 10

What is a Hemorrhagic Stroke?

Answer 10

Uncontrolled bleeding in the brain, so it interrupts blood flow to the brain and “floods”, killing brain cells
- High blood pressure increases the risk of hemorrhagic stroke
- 20% of strokes

Question 11

What is a Transient ischemic attack (TIA)?

Answer 11

A short-term lack of blood supply to the brain (mini/incomplete stroke)
Serious warning sign for increased risk of stroke

Question 12

Signs of a stroke

Answer 12

Weakness (sudden, numbness/tingling in face or limbs)
Trouble speaking (sudden temporary loss of speech or trouble understanding speech)
Vision problems (Sudden loss in usually one eye, or double vision)
Headache (sudden severe and unusual)
Dizziness (sudden loss of balance)

Question 13

What to do if warning signs are present? (FAST)

Answer 13

Act FAST
Facial weakness - smile? eye/mouth drooping?
Arm weakness - raise both arms?
Speech problems - speak clearly? understand?
Test all three symptoms
Call 911

Question 14

Common outcomes of a stroke

Answer 14

Vary greatly, but mainly:
* Hemiparesis or Hemiplegia
* Changes in sensation
* Spasticity / Muscle spasms
* Balance and coordination problems
* Language difficulties
* Bodily neglect or inattention
* Emotional instability
* Impaired cognitive abilities
* Problems with bowel and bladder control
* Depression

Question 15

Barriers to participation?

Answer 15

• Heart health (cardiovascular disease)
• Fatigue
• Strength
• Balance and coordination