TBI and DOC

Question 1

Minimally conscious

Answer 1

most common level of DOC

yes arousal, fluctuating awareness, can last months to years

Question 2

Assumptions of recovery for DOC

Answer 2

New assumption is persons in DOC have potential for long term recovery
Neuro imaging has improved our ideas of recovery

Question 3

damage causing DOC

Answer 3

reticular activating system - in charge of arousal

higher cortical areas - in charge of awareness

Question 4

arousal

Answer 4

primitive and involuntary response to both internal and external stimuli

maintained by reticular activating system - a collection of primitive structures and nerve pathways in brain

Question 5

awareness

Answer 5

person receives and PROCESS sensory info
uses info to RELATE to outside world
regulated by higher cortical areas in CEREBRUM

Question 6

Coma

Answer 6

no arousal, no awareness, can last weeks

Question 7

vegetative state

Answer 7

yes arousal, no awareness, can last months - years

Question 8

coma diagnostic criteria explained

Answer 8

coma usually resolves in 2-4 weeks with movement to vegetative or minimally conscious

• no arousal/ eye opening
• impaired spontaneous breathing
• impaired brainstem reflexes
• no vocalization > 1 hr