TBI Flashcards
diffuse axonal injury
- damage to axons
* s/s LOC, increased ICP, decerebrate or decorticate posture, global cerebral edema
shaken baby syndrome
- example of a diffuse axonal injury
1) blood vessels that lead from the brain to the dura membrane are the most susceptible to tearing since the subdural space between the brain and the skull is greater for babies. Such hemorrhaging is what doctors detect in CAT scans
2) nerves inside the brain may sever. If this happens, the brain will swell, cutting off oxygen to the brain. In surviving babies, blindness and brain damage may also occur
3) the brain stem is where vital sensors are located, if is is severed or damaged the baby will experience respiratory problems and vomitting
4) the optic nerve is often damaged which causes retinal bleeding
Hypoxemia
severe lack of O2 (can cause TBI)
Decerebrate posturing
Decerebrate posture results from damage to the upper brain stem. In this posture, the arms are adducted and extended with the wrists pronated and the fingers flexed. The legs are stiffly extended, with PF of the feet.
*more serious than decorticate
Decorticate posturing
decorticate posture results from damage to one or both corticospinal tracts. In this posture the arms are adducted and flexed, with the wrists and fingers flexed on the chest. The legs are stiffly extended and IR, with PF of the feet.
Ptosis
drooping eyelid
Components of ICP
skull= closed box, total adult volume=1900 ml
3 Volume Components:
•brain tissue 9 (intra/extracellular fluids) 78%
• blood 12%
•cerebrospinal fluid 10%
Normal ICP
- lateral recumbent (side-lying) ICP= 60-150 mm H2O
* 30° elevation of the head, ICP= 0-15 mm H2O
Epilepsy/ Post traumatic seizures
O’Sullivan 7th: 821
Clonic and tonic phases
GCS factors
Indicates whether or not someone is in a coma as well as severity of head injury Factors: • eye opening •verbal response •best motor
GCS: eye opening
Eye Opening: 1 = no response 2= to pain 3= to speech 4= spontaneous
GCS: verbal response
Verbal Response: 1= no response 2= incomprehensible sounds 3= inappropriate words 4= confused conversation 5= oriented
GCS: best motor
Best Motor:
1= no response
2= extensor response (decerebrate posturing, UE and LE extension)
3= flexor response (UE flexion, LE extension)
4= withdrawal
5= localized
6= follows commands
GCS: numerical range classifications
3 or less= coma
0-8= severe head injury
9-12= moderate head injury
13-15=mild head injury
Other factors with head injury
- LOC
- PTA (post-traumatic amnesia)
- AOC (alteration of consciousness)
- Neuroimaging
Mild TBI
LOC: •less than 30 minutes PTA: •0-1 days AOC: •less than 24 hours Neuroimaging: •normal *13-15 GCS
Moderate TBI
LOC: •more than 30 minutes to 24 hours PTA: •more than 1 day but less than 7 days AOC: •more than 24 hours Neuroimaging: •may be normal or abnormal *GCS 9-12
Severe TBI
LOC: • more than 24 hours PTA: • more than 7 days AOC: • more than 24 hours Neuroimaging: • may be normal or abnormal *GCS 0-8
from mild to severe TBI
LOC: • < 30 minutes= mild TBI • > 30 minutes to 24 hours= mod TBI • > 24 hours= severe TBI PTA: post-traumatic amnesia • 0-1 days= mild TBI • more than 1 day but less than 7 days= mod TBI • > 7 days= severe TBI AOC: alteration of consciousness • < 24 hours= mild TBI • >24 hours= moderate or severe TBI Neuroimaging: • normal= mild TBI • may be normal or abnormal= moderate to severe TBI GCS: •3= coma •0-8= mild TBI •9-12= moderate TBI •13-15= severe TBI
Ranchos Los Amigos levels:
I. No response II. Generalized response III. Localized response IV. Confused agitated V. Confused inappropriate VI. Confused appropriate VII. Automatic-appropriate VIII. Purposeful appropriate
Ranchos Los Amigos levels: I. No response
Patient appears to be in a deep sleep and is completely unresponsive to any stimuli:
*GCS= 3
TX: PROM
Ranchos Los Amigos levels: II. Generalized response
Patient reacts inconsistently and nonpurposefully to stimuli in a non-specific manner. Responses are limited and often the same regardless of stimulus presented. Responses may be physiological changes, gross body movements, and/or vocalization
TX: stages I, II, and III
sensory input, PROM, and positioning. Maybe rolling