Neurological Disorders - Trauma Flashcards
What defines a Primary head Injury
An injury that occurs as a result of initial direct Injuries, and direct force applied to the head. Includes tissue and vascular damage
What is a secondary Head injury
Occurs as a result of hypoxia, decreased perfusion, cerebral edema, infection and hemorrhage
What is the initial response to brain bruising
Vasodilation and increased blood flow to the area of injury. Increased intra cerebral pressure surrounding the site, then decreases blood flow.
How does a normally functioning brain adjust to the O2 and CO2 concentrations
Changes in the concentration of O2 and CO2 in blood and CSF activate chemoreceptors. Impulses are sent to the respiratory center to increase or decrease respiratory rate
What is Intracranial Pressure?
The pressure inside the cranium as a result of brain tissues, blood and CSF
What is the normal intracranial pressure
5-15mm hg, 15 is upper limit of normal
What is the cerebral Perfusion Pressure?
The pressure needed to maintain blood flow to the brain
What is the normal cerebral perfusion pressure level. What happens if it lowers too much?
70-80 mmHg, if it drops below 60mmHg, the chances of death are doubled
What does MAP stand for, and what is the normal range
Mean arterial pressure, 70-100mmHg. less than 60 is deadly for main organs
What does CPP= MAP- ICP mean?
Cerebral perfusion pressure is equal to mean arterial pressure subtract intracranial pressure
What happens when ICP=MAP
blood flow stops
What are the early signs of ICP
CSF is shifted to spinal cavity and decreased cerebral blood flow (effective short term then hypoxic)
What are the early physical S/S of ICP
Severe headache, Vomiting (projectile), Papilledema (swelling of optic disc and ICP), seizures. S/S increase in severity
What is Crushing’s reflex
A neurological response to increased ICP. bradycardia, increased systolic pressure, irregular respirations. Goal is to increase blood supply to the brain
How is ischemia relieved in the brain
Systemic vasoconstriction (^ BP), baroreceptors in carotid arteries respond by slowing the HR. chemoreceptors respond to low co2 by slowing respirations. Improved circulation relieves ischemia by lowering ICP - as ICP increases again system repeats.
What happens when Crushing’s response can not keep up?
As ICP continues to rise, the mechanism can not keep up. If the pressure rises to a critical point where perfusion is impossible, deterioration and death occurs
What happens if severe ischemia and elevated ICP is not fixed
severe ischemia and neuronal death prevent circulatory control and BP drops, Resp control is destroyed= irregularity, death is inevitable.
What is cerebral herniation syndrome?
Brain swelling forces tissues downward through the foramen magnum (space in skull connecting to spinal cord). Places pressure on the brain stem
Signs and Symptoms of cerebral herniation syndrome
decreased LOC, coma, dilated pupil on same side, paralysis on opposite side, decerebrate posturing, hypertension, bradycardia
What is the treatment for Cerebral herniation syndrome
hyperventilation, one breath every 3 seconds
Why do scalp injuries appear worse than they are? How are they treated
The tissue is vascular, and bleeds significantly. Treated with direct pressure (if no skull injuries)
What should you do in respect to skull injuries
Suspect injury with large contusion, leave protruding objects in place, transport immediately.
What are 6 types of brain Injuries (CCCCAD)
Concussion, cerebral contusion, closed head injuries, contrecoup, anoxic brain, diffuse axonal injury
What is a Contrecoup Injury?
A brain injury where the brain is injured on the opposite side of point of trauma