Neuro Trauma Flashcards
Traumatic Brain Injury
injury result of an external force and is of sufficient magnitude to interfere with daily life
safety for preventing TBIs
water safety
bike safety - wearing helmet
firearm safety
who is at risk for head injuries
children <4 - fall off of things
adolescents 15-19 - high impact sports
adults >65 - fall risk
70% are related to falls
pathophysiology of head injuries
primary injury is injury to brain itself at time of impact
secondary injury develops after initial injury due to inadequate delivery of oxygen and glucose to brain r/t swelling and bleeding, increased ICP, infection
why is quick treatment of head injuries important?
quick treatment will minimize secondary injury from increased ICP
scalp injuries
laceration can pose an infection risk
may be related to TBI from impact, or may not have an accompanying TBI if a superficial injury from a sharp object
can be self-limiting if no TBI
linear skull fracture
simple break in a line
commuted skull fracture
more serious
splintered, multiple fractures
depressed skull fracture
very serious
usually requires surgical repair
bones are forced downward, can become embedded in brain tissue
basal skull fracture
fracture at base of the skull
can cause tears in dura and blood vessels
clinical manifestations of skull fractures
localized pain
swellinng
basal skull fracture manifestations
hemorrhage from head orifices
bruising over the mastoid
blood in eyes, periorbital bruising
CSF from ears and nose
closed brain injury
head accelerates and deccelerates rapidly, brain bumps against skull
wall, car dashboard or seat headrest, blunt object
open brain injury
object penetrates skull and enters or exposes brain
concussion
mild TBI
80% of TBIs
