Trauma Management 2 Flashcards
Explain the difference bw head trauma, head injury and TBI.
Head trauma- general term inclusive of both head injury and TBI
Head Injury- traumatic insult to head that results in injury of soft tissue of scalp or skull, does not include face.
TBI- impairment of brain fxn caused by external force that causes physical/social/emotional changes
What are the major regions of the brain?
What are the fxns of the major regions of the brain?
- cerebrum
- cerebral cortex
- cerebellum
- brainstem
- diencephalon
- pons
- medulla
- corpus callosum
Cerebrum- largest portion of brain, responsible for higher fxn/thought
Cerebral cortex- largest part of cerebrum, regulates voluntary skeletal movement, level of awareness
Cerebellum- maintains posture and equilibrium, skilled motions
Brainstem- crucial for vitals fxns (RAS-awareness)
Diencephalon-relays motor and sensory signals
Pons- regulates breathing and REM
Medulla- controls automatic fxns like HR and RR
What are the 4 different lobes and their fxns?
Frontal lobe: voluntary motions, personality and judgment
Parietal lobe: processes sensory info from skin and joints, responsible for proprioception
Temporal lobe: speech center, hearing, taste, smell, long term memory
Occipital lobe: processes visual information from optic nerve
What are the meninges?
They are a protective layer around the entire brain and spinal cord.
Dura mater –>Arachnoid –> Pia mater
Explain epidural hematoma.
Occurs bw dura mater and skull
Usually caused by a rupture of middle meningeal artery
Explain subdural hematoma
Occurs bw dura and arachnoid
Usually caused by rupture of bridging veins in bw these layers
Explain subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Occurs below arachnoid membrane.
Bleed directly into brain.
What do we look for in assessing a basilar skull fx?
- Blood and CSF leaking from ears, nose, both
- Raccoon eyes*
- Battle Sign*
*late signs
Cervical plexus
C1-5
innervates the diaphragm
Brachial plexus
C5-T1
Controls upper extremities
Lumbar plexus
L1-L4
Supplies skin and muscles of abdominal wall, external genitalia, part of lower limbs
Sacral plexus
L4-S4
Supplies buttocks, perineum, most of lower limbs
SCI at of below ___ may disrupt flow of sympathetic stimulation communication.
T6
How do we handle pt assessment for head and spine trauma? Any special considerations?
ABCDE
consider C spine
consider aggressive airway
consider neurogenic shock
do neuro exam
assess for ICP/abnormal posturing
consider backboarding
always place hands on pt for assessment
Signs of cerebral herniation
Unequal pupils
bilateral fixed dilated pupils
Decerebrate posturing/no motor response to px
GCS <9 that drops by 2+ points
What are the S/S of head injury?
DCAP
Visible fx
Battle sign
Raccoon eyes
CSF ears/nose
What EtCO2 do we ventilate head injury pt at?
30-35mm Hg
When would you want to start an IV in the case of head or SCI and use lots of fluids?
- establish 18g IV with LR
- do not give glucose unless known hypoglycemia
- only administer fluids on needed basis when hypotensive <90
- neurogenic pt’s may not require fluids so much as vagolytic drugs (atropine) and pressors or TCP
- watch for pulmonary edema
What are some specific assessments we do with SCI?
CMS in all extremeties
AVPU/serial GCS
Spinal immobilization
Pupils
check for chest trauma/fx
check for posturing
watch for hypo/hypertension
Stroke neuro exam
ask about sensation/pins and needles/numbness
**if pt unresponsive, but responsive to painful stimuli
–>grimaces, flexes limbs not likely to have SCI
Dermatome map
Explain skull fx types
Basilar- fx to base of skull.
Linear- closed, non displaced fx usually due to blunt trauma
Depressed- multiple fx in one area as result of blunt trauma with depression or dent in skull. can be concurrent with basilar fx. usually profound deficits seen
Open- brain tissue exposed
Closed- brain tissue not exposed
What is the difference bw primary and secondary injury? Give some MOI examples.
Primary- actual injury to brain as direct result of insult. Aka GSW, blunt trauma.
Secondary- damage to brain tissue as result of primary injury that bleeds into brain and swelling. can also include abscess, infection, hypoxia, etc.
Explain ICP
Skull is not capable of expanding for swelling brain post injury. The brain swells regardless of skulls capacity to expand, and it begins to take up what available space there is in the cranium. It takes up CSF space, occludes small blood vessels, increasing ICP. As pressure grows, brain recognizes it is hypoxic as a result. To combat this brain sends order to increase BP. In contrast carotid sinuses recognize that BP is increasing they did not call for, and order HR to slow down. This cycle continues, and pressure in skull worsens as the brain tries to maintain CP. As pressure grows, brain has no choice but to herniate out foramen magnum. Breathing centers and HR are sacrificed, ventilation is impaired, acidosis grows. Pupils will change. Pt will vomit out of nowhere with no previous complaint of nausea. Cushings triad is seen.
How do we determine MAP?
MAP= pulse pressure difference/3 + diastolic
Cerebral perfusion formula
CPP= MAP-ICP
ICP numbers
0-15
minimum CPP
60
Uncal herniation
most common brain herniation
part of temporal lobe moves laterally and then down
Early signs of ICP
Seizure
vomit without previous nausea
HA
ALOC
Explain cerebral concussion and what to look for.
occurs when teh brain is jarred in the skull.
usually caused by rapid acceleration-deceleration
produces shearing injuries caused by rotational/angular forces
seen with MVCs, falls, sports
S/S: HA, amnesia, confusion, dizzy
if suspected, all pt need eval
check A/O
Explain diffuse axonal injuries and what to look for
diagnosable only in hospital
more extensive damage to brain than concussion
axons can be sheared and torn
often not survivable
causes permanent damage
watch for unresponsiveness, especially >6 hours
watch for airway compromise
probable life flight
How does an epidural hematoma present?
initially lose consciousness
regain consciousness
have period of lucidity
lose consciousness after ICP increases
common to see unequal pupils
How does a subdural hematoma present?
does not become apparent for a few weeks after initial trauma due to venous bleeding
may present stroke-like
How does a intracerebral hematoma present?
depends on ICP and size of injury.
How does a subarachnoid hemorrhage present?
sudden severe HA
stiff neck
ALOC
seizure
N/V
posturing
Explain thermal management of brain injuries
do not let head injury pt become overheated.
do not cover with blanket if ambient temp >70
What are some pharmacology treatments to consider for head injury?
control seizures
RSI meds
some med control may order lasix or mannitol
Le Forte Fx
Explain flexion injuries and MOI
head whips forward suddenly
can fx atlas and axis or dislocate them
could tear spinal cord
seen with MVC or sports
Explain rotation with flexion and MOI
flexion when combined with rotation of head happens with lateral MVC impact or football tackle or assault.
can cause severe C1/2 injuries
Explain hyperextension and MOI
can occur anywhere in spine
most common in cervical area
can cause hangman’s fx- fx of C2 that causes bilateral fx of pedicles. unstable fx that does not usually injure spinal cord.
Explain vertical compression and MOI
also known as axial loading
common in cervical and lumbar areas
compression force comes from above
usually hitting head on roof of vehicle, or jumping with locked knees
usually fairly stable injury
What is primary SCI?
ANY CORD INJURY RESULTING DIRECTLY FROM THE TRAUMATIC EVENT
can be complete or partial
What is secondary SCI?
cord swelling as a result of trauma leading to temporary loss of neurological fxn distal to injury
Explain complete vs incomplete SCI
Complete SCI- complete disruption of all tracts of spinal cord with permanent loss of all cord mediated fxns below level of injury.
Incomplete SCI- pt retains some degree of cord mediated fxn below injury site
Explain anterior cord syndrome
results from disruption of anterior region of cord
usually result of flexion injury
will have motor and sensory loss inferior to injury
Explain central cord syndrome
associated with hyperextension injuries of cervical spine
loss of upper extremity fxn with intact lower extremity
Explain posterior cord syndrome
likely with extension injuries
decreased sensation to light touch and proprioception
Explain Brown Sequard syndrome
also known as lateral cord syndrome
damage to one side of cord via distraction or penetrating trauma
leads to loss of motor/light touch/vibration on side of/inferior to injury
leads to loss of px and temperature sensation on side opposite injury
Explain Cuda equina syndrome
caued by lesions in L1-2 area
effects lower extremities and bowel
numbness
low back px
What is neurogenic shock?
caused by spinal injuries
causes widespread vasodilation of vessels below site of inury
leads to hypovolemia
pt will be pale and diaphoretic superior to injury and dry warm inferior to it
hypotensive with bradycardia due to loss of sympathetic tone