Traumatic Brain Injury 2

Question 1

Behaviour Changes and TBI

Answer 1

DAI results in slowed mental processing, fatigue and confusion. Coup/contrecoup injuries result in focal impairments. Inertial force injury is likely to be diffuse and involve personality changes, self-regulation issues and cognitive deficits.

Question 2

Sensory Alterations and TBI

Answer 2

Smell is often lost due to the location of the olfactory bulbs in the brain. May result in visual changes (double vision, loss of acuity) and problems with dizziness, balance and tinnitus (ringing in ears).

Question 3

Consequences of Mild TBI

Answer 3

PTA < 60 Minutes
Slowed mental processing, impaired attention, fatigue, distractibility, sensory disturbances, depression and anxiety. No evidence of injury on scan.

Question 4

Consequences of Moderate TBI

Answer 4

PTA = 1-24 hours
Memory, attention and concentration impairment, impulsivity, anger, impaired planning, altered mood states. Damage shown on brain scans.

Question 5

Consequences of Severe TBI

Answer 5

PTA = 1-7 days +
Permanent and severe disability. Impaired attention, concentration, learning and language function. Impaired executive functions, mania, anxiety, depression and paranoia.

Question 6

TBI Recovery

Answer 6

Rapid gains in the first 1 to 2 years. After this, improvement is due to learned compensations. Language and movement recover the best. Senses recover very little. Cognitive function may improve but not to premorbid level.