Neuro #5- Trauma & SCI pages 151- 158 Flashcards
What is the mechanism of injury for TBI?
Contact forces to the skull and rotational acceleration forces, causing varying degrees of injury to the brain
Pathophysiology of TBI - 3 areas
- Primary brain damage
- Secondary brain damage
- Concussion
What types of injury are considered primary brain damage in TBI patients?
- Diffuse axonal injury
- Focal injury
- Coup-contracoup injury
- Closed or open injury
What is Diffused Axonal Injury in TBI?
Disruption and tearing of axons and small blood vessels from shearing of angular acceleration; results in neuronal death and petechial hemorrhage
What is Focal Injury in TBI?
Contusions, lacerations, mass effect from hemorrhage, and edema (hematoma)
What is a Coup-contracoup injury in TBI?
Injury at a point of impact and opposite point of impact
What types of injury are considered secondary brain damage in TBI patients?
- Hypoxic-ischemic injury
- Swelling/ Edema
- Electrolyte imbalance of damaging neurotransmittersand mass release
What is Hypoxic-ischemic injury in TBI?
Results from systemic problems (respiratory or cardiovascular) that compromise cerebral circulation
What is the effect of swelling/edema in TBI?
Results in mass effect, with increased intracranial pressure, brain herniation (uncal, central, tonsillar), and death.
What is a concussion
Loss of consciousness, either temporary or permanent, resulting from injury or blow to the head, with impaired functioning of the brainstem reticular activating system (RAS); may see changes in HR,RR,BP
What are the different ways Brain Damage can be categorized as mild, moderate, or severe? Table 2-14 pg 153
- Loss of consciousness
- Alteration of consciousness
- Posttraumatic Amnesia
- Glasgow Coma Scale
- Imaging
How is a TBI categorized as mild?
Loss of Consciousness: 0-30 min Alteration of Consciousness: brief;>24 hours Posttraumatic Amnesia: <1 day Glasgow Coma Scale: 13-15 Imaging: normal
How is a TBI categorized as moderate?
Loss of Consciousness: >30 min but <24 hours
Alteration of Consciousness: >24 hours
Posttraumatic Amnesia: >1 day but <7 days
Glasgow Coma Scale: 9-12
Imaging: normal or abnormal
How is a TBI categorized as severe?
Loss of Consciousness: >24 hours Alteration of Consciousness: >24 hours Posttraumatic Amnesia: >7 days Glasgow Coma Scale: <9 Imaging: normal or abnormal
What are the standardized tests and measures used to evaluate patients with TBI?
- Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)
- Rancho Los Amigos Levels of Cognitive Functioning (LOCF)
- Rappaport’s Disability Rating Scale (DRS)
- Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS)
- High Level Mobility Assessment Tool (HI-MAT)
- Functional Independence Measure / Functional Mobility Skills (FIM/FAM)
Details of the Glasgow Coma Scale
Allows classification of TBI into Mild (score 13-15), Moderate (score 9-12), or severe (<8) head injury (coma)
Details of Rancho Los Amigos Levels of Cognitive Functioning (LOCF)
It delineates eight general cognitive and behavioral levels
What are the recovery stages from diffuse axonal injury? (6)
- Coma
- Unresponsive vigilance/ vegitative stage
- Mute responsiveness/ minimally responsive
- Confusional state
- Emerging independence
- Intellectual/Social Competence
Note that the patient can plateau at any stage or regress under conditions of stress or repetitive brain injury
Define coma
A state of unconsciousness in which there is neither arousal nor awareness; eyes remain closed, no sleep/wake cycle
Define Unresponsive vigilance / vegetative state
Marked by the return of sleep/wake cycles and normalization of vegetative functions (respiration, digestion, BP control); persistent vegetative state is determined if patient remains in vegetative state > 1 year after TBI
Define Mute responsiveness/ minimally responsive stage
State in which pt is not vegetative and does show signs, even if intermittent, of fluctuating awareness
Define Confusional state
Mainly a disturbance of attention mechanisms; all cognitive operations are affected, pt is unable to form new memories; may demonstrate either hypoarousal or hyperarousal
Define Emerging Independence
Confusion in clearing and some memory is possible; significant cognitive problems and limited insight remain; frequently uninhibited social behaviors
Define Intellectual/social competence
Increasing independence although cognitive difficulties (problem solving, reasoning) persist along with behavioral and social problems (enhancement of premorbid traits, mood swings)
What should PTs look for when examining a patient with TBI?
- Generalized signs of increased intracranial pressure
- LOC using (GCS), cognitive function (LOCF), Disorders of learning, Attention, Memory and complex information
- Cranial N function
- Behavioral changes- examine for appropriate physical, verbal, sexual behaviors; poor judgment; irritability, low frustration tolerance, and aggression; impulsivity and safety issues; depressed mood; restricted affect.
- Speech and communication
- Sensory deficits
- Motor function: paresis, apraxia (dyspraxia), reflexive behaviors, balance deficits, ataxia and incoordination (cerebellar damage common)
- Functional Mobility Skills (FMS, ADLs
- Level of general deconditioning; after prolonged hospilization (comatose, vegetative, decreased response levels), patients experience severe deconditioning and effects of prolonged immobilization (dissuse atrophy, contractures and deformity, skin breakdown)
What are some PT goals, outcomes and interventions used for patients with TBI
- Monitor changes associated with recovery and inactivity
- Management based on decreased response levels (LOCF 1-111)
- Management based on Mid-level recovery (LOCF IV-VI)
- Management based on high-level recovery (LOCF VII-VIII
- Provide emotional support, encourage socialization, behavioral control and motivation
- Reorient and reassure
- provide pt and family education
Management of TBI patients based on decreased response levels LOC 1-111
- Maintain ROM, prevent contracture development: PROM, positioning, splinting and serial casting
- Maintain skin intergrity; prevent development of decubitus ulcers through frequent position changes
- maintain respiratory status, prevent complications: postural drainage, percussion, vibration, suctioning to keep airway clear.
- Provide sensory stimulation for arousal and to elicit movement: environmental and direct stimulation (auditory, visual, olfactory, gustatory, tactile stimuli)
- Promote early return of FMS: upright positioning for improved arousal, proper body alignment
Management of TBI patients based on decreased response levels LOC 1V-V1
- Provide structure, prevent overstimulation for confused, agitation patient: closed, reduced stimulus environment, daily schedules and memory logs; relaxation techniques
- Provide consistency: use team-determined behavioral modification techniques, give clear feedback, written contracts
- Engage pt in task specific training; limit activities to familiar, well-liked ones; offer options; break down complex tasks into component parts
- Provide verbal or physical assistance
- Control rate of instruction; provide frequent orientation to time, place, your name, and task.
- Emphasize safety, behavioral management techniques
- Model calm, focused behavior
Management of TBI patients based on decreased response levels LOC VI1-V111
- Allow for increasing independence: wean patient from structure (closed to open environments); involve pt in decision making
- Assist pt in behavioral, cognitive, emotional reintegration: provide honest feedback, prepare for community reentry
- Promote independence in functional tasks: FMS, ADLs, in real-life environments
- Improve postural control, symmetry, and balance
- Encourage active lifestyle, improved cardiovascular endurance
What is the etiology of Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)?
Partial or complete disruption of spinal cord resulting in paralysis, sensory loss, altered autonomic and reflex activities