traumatic brain injury Flashcards
acquired brain injury
can be traumatic, non-traumatic as a result of stroke, infection, tumor, surgical complications, seizures, endocrine disorders, drug reactions, environmental toxins and anoxia- lack of o2
facts about acquired BI and TBI
ABI0 more common in male than female, TBI- increased by 6% since 2005/6, peak rusk in age 16-25
traumatic brain injury
an injury the brain caused by a trauma to be held (head injury). there are many possible causes, including road traffic accident, assaults, falls and accidents at home or work
TBI causes
automobile accidents, sli[[ing/falling, something falling or being thrown that strikes the head, being shaken violently, sports-related events of activities, acts of violence, can be linked to suicide attempts- cognitive problems (BPS)
types of TBI- closed head injuries
these account for the majority of brain injuries and occur when the brain is rattled or traumatized inside the skull.
types of closed head TBI
diffuse axonal injury- coup- contrecoup- Closed head injury (coup contrecoup) can damage more than the impact sites on the brain, as axon bundles may be torn or twisted, blood vessels may rupture, and elevated intracranial pressure can distort the walls of the ventricles.
concussion- temporary disruption of brain function, intracranial hematoma- ruptured blood vessels in a pool of blood, cerebrain contusion- bleeding in brain
open wound injuries
these injuries are often life threatening and occur when a blow to the head occurs that is forceful enough to penetrate the skull
crushing injuries
these types of injuries occur when the brain is compressed between 2 objects. although rare, these are the most damaging and life threatening TBI
immediate S and S of TBI
difficulty in concentrating and confusion, changes in consciousness, headaches/ dizziness, vomiting and nausea, changes in mood/ behaviour and personality, dilated pupils, swelling at site of suspected brain injury, inability to remember, difficulty breathing, fluid leaking from nose/eyes/ ears- cerebrospinal fluid, language difficulties, changes in vision- blurred, hallucinations
TBI severity- loss of consciousness, post traumatic amnesia
minor brain injury- 15mins, <1 hour
moderate- 15 mins-6 hours, 1-24 hour. severe brain injury- 6-48 hours, 24 hours= 7 days
very severe brain injury- >48 hours,, >7 days
coma and reduced awareness state- vegetative state
severe, have sleep= wake cycles but no conscious awareness of themselves and their surroundings
coma and reduced awareness state- minimally conscious state
shows distinct but limited signs awareness and response to stimulation. very difficult to remain aware or responsible for any length of time or in a predictable way
coma and reduced awareness state- locked in syndrome
this is a rare condition in which a person is aware of themselves and their surroundings but is unable to move or speak often people can move their eye of eyelids and may be able to communicate by blinking
what is an anoxic brain injury
occurs when the brain is depleted of oxygen, left without oxygen for too long, neural cells begin to die through a process called apoptosis. when a large number of brain cells simultaneously di, patients can be left with diminished brain function
causes of anoxic brain injury
stroke or RIA, anaphylactic shock, electrocution, extremely low BP, severe pneumothorax or collapsed lung, oxygen deprivation at birth, a physical attack or assault, asphyxiation (choking), drug overdose