TBI Flashcards
Penetrating (open) head injuries
- In such injuries a sharp object may penetrate the skull and enter the brain
- Severity of head injuries may depend on type of object, velocity of missile, and secondary damage occurring from infection, bleeding and subsequent hydrocephalus
Low velocity vs high velocity injuries
- low velocity injuries have concentrated force that fracture the skull and drive bone debris into the brain (examples: injury due to knife glass, some types of air rifles, axe, tree branches)
- High velocity injuries may enter the brain more clearly but may cause relatively more destruction of the tissue around and along the projectile’s paths (examples: car accidents, projectiles)
- Blast injuries (the textbook classifies these as penetrating or open head injuries) includes injuries due to rocket-propelled grenades, landmines, and improvised explosive devices
Non-penetrating (closed) head injuries
Examples: Motor vehicle accidents, skiing accidents, sports-related events (boxingn, football, soccer)
types of non-penetrating (closed) head injuries
non-acceleration and acceleration injuries
Non-acceleration injuries
these injuries are caused when an individual’s fixed or restrained head is struck by a oving object. E.g. A man standing on the street and getting hit by a car, a man sitting on a chair and being hit by a bullet
Acceleration injuries
these injuries are caused when an individual in motion is struck by a stationary or moving object. E.g. car accident in motion, skiing accident, person falling from hieght
Assessments of memory
- Recognition memory test
- Wechsler memory scale
Recognition memory test
here an individual is shown words, faces, or designs and then asked to indicate the images that were presented before. Useful in assessment of individuals who have difficulties in drawing, copying, or responding verbally
Wechsler memory scale
provides information about immediate and delayed recall, recognition of short paragraphs, a word list, unfamiliar faces, and abstract design. It also includes measures of immediate and working memory (digit span, spatial span, letter-number sequencing)
Assessments for executive functioning
- Wisconsin card sorting test
- stroop color and word test
- tower test
- controlled oral word association test
wisconsin card sorting test
assesses set shifting
Stroop color and word test
assesses set shifting, inhibition of prepotent responses
tower test
assesses planning
controlled oral word association test
assesses word generation according to initial letter while following a set of rules
General measures of disability and outcomes
- functional independence measures
- The disability rating score for severe head trauma