TBI #2 Flashcards
Normal ICP
5-10 mmHg
Abnormal ICP
greater than 20 mmHg
What activities can increase ICP?
Cervical flexion, percussion & vibration, coughing
Signs and symptoms of ICP:
Decreased responsiveness, impaired consciousness, severe HA, vomiting, irritability, papilledema, ↑d BP & ↓d HR
How much oxygen does the brain demand?
20% of body’s oxygen
Areas vulnerable to lack of oxygen
Hippocampus (Memory storage area)
Cerebellum
Basal Ganglia
Seizure:
discrete clinical event reflecting temporary, physiologic brain dysfunction, characterized by excessive hypersynchronous cortical neuron discharge
Events that trigger seizures:
Stress, poor nutrition, electrolyte imbalances, missed mediations or drug use, flickering lights, infection, fever, worry, and fear
GCS mild:
13-15
GCS moderate:
9-12
GCS severe:
less than 8
Stage 1 of Recovery Stages from Diffuse Axonal Injury
coma
Stage 2 Recovery Stages from Diffuse Axonal Injury
Unresponsive Vigilance/vegetative state
Stage 3 Recovery Stages from Diffuse Axonal Injury
Mute responsiveness/minimally responsive (pt. is not vegetative and DOES show signs, even if intermittent, of fluctuating awareness
Stage 4 Recovery Stages from Diffuse Axonal Injury
Confusional State (disturbance of attention mechanisms; all cognitive operations are affected, patient is unable to perform new memories. Can have hyper/hypo arousal)
Stage 5 Recovery Stages from Diffuse Axonal Injury
Emerging Independence (confusion is clearing and some memory possible, significant cognitive problems and limited insight, socially uninhibited)
Stage 6 Recovery Stages from Diffuse Axonal Injury
Intellectual/Social Competence (increasing independence, although cognitive difficulties (problem solving, reasoning) persist along with behavioral and social problems)
Stage 7 Recovery Stages from Diffuse Axonal Injury
Patient can plateau at any stage or regress under conditions of stress or repetitive brain injury
What does Glascow Coma Scale measure?
Pupillary response
Motor activity
Ability to verbalize
Arousal
Primitive state of being awake or alert
Reticular activating system is responsible for level of arousal
Awareness
Conscious of internal & external environmental stimuli
Consciousness
State of being aware
Coma
State of decreased level of awareness; Usually not > 3 weeks
State of unconsciousness in which the patient is neither aroused nor responsive to the internal or external environments (Rappaport et al., 1992)
Eyes are closed
Unable to initiate voluntary activity
Sleep & wake cycles cannot be distinguished on EEG
Vegetative State
Return of brainstem reflexes, sleep-wake cycles but remains unconscious
May experience periods of arousal & spontaneous eye opening without tracking