traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Flashcards
What is traumatic brain injury (TBI)?
Traumatic brain injury occurs following a blow or jolt to the head and can result in permanent or temporary damage to the brain.
What are the causes of traumatic brain injury?
TBIs are usually caused by falls, accidents, collisions, and violence.
How are TBIs classified?
TBIs are classified as closed head injury or penetrating head injury, depending on whether the dura mater is torn or not. Closed head injuries are further categorized into mild, moderate, and severe based on the Glasgow Coma Scale.
What are the primary and secondary injuries associated with TBIs?
The primary injury involves tearing nerve fibers and causing bruising and bleeding to the brain. Secondary injuries, such as compression, can occur later and cause more damage than the primary injury.
What are the symptoms of concussion immediately after an accident?
Confusion, brief loss of consciousness, blurred vision, and nausea are common symptoms of concussion.
What is the risk associated with delayed trauma or secondary brain injury?
Delayed trauma or secondary brain injury, such as compression due to swelling, can cause more damage than the initial injury and lead to swift deterioration of the patient’s condition.
What symptoms may indicate a mild TBI?
Symptoms of a mild TBI include immediate unconsciousness, amnesia, headache, vertigo, vomiting, disturbed consciousness, loss of coordination, slurred speech, and aphasia.
What are the symptoms of increased pressure (concussion/secondary injury) in the skull?
Increased pressure in the skull can cause paralysis, decreased level of consciousness, unresponsive pupils, and Cushing’s triad (slow heart rate, high blood pressure, respiratory depression).
What tests are used for diagnosing TBI?
Neurological examination, evaluation with the Glasgow Coma Scale, memory assessment, description of the accident by witnesses, and imaging tests such as CT scan and MRI are used for diagnosis. CT scans are quick and widely available, while MRI is more useful for detecting specific injuries like diffuse axonal injury but is not typically used in emergency situations.
