W8 Brain Injury Flashcards
Define what an acquired brain injury (ABI) is
An acquired brain injury (ABI) is an injury caused to the brain since birth.
What are the two main types of acquired brain injury?
- Traumatic
- Non-Traumatic
What is the peak age range for hospital admissions due to head injury?
16-25 years
Define traumatic brain injury (TBI)
A brain injury caused by trauma to the head.
What are the immediate signs and symptoms of TBI?
- Difficulty concentrating or confusion
- Changes in consciousness
- Headaches and dizziness
- Vomiting and nausea
- Changes in mood, behavior, or personality
- Changes in the eyes/Dilated pupils
- Hallucinations
- Swelling at the site of a suspected brain injury
- Inability to remember
- Difficulty breathing
- Any fluid leaking from the nose, eyes, or ears
- Difficulties with language or speech
- Changes in vision, especially blurred vision
What are the causes of traumatic brain injury (TBI)?
- Road traffic collisions
- Slipping and falling
- Something falling or being thrown that strikes the head
- Being shaken violently
- Sports-related events or activities
- Acts of violence
What are the classifications of brain injury based on severity?
- Minor brain injury
- Moderate brain injury
- Severe brain injury
- Very severe brain injury
What are the causes of non-traumatic brain injury?
- Tumour
- Stroke
- Brain haemorrhage
- Encephalitis
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
- Hydrocephalus
- Meningitis
What is cerebral anoxia?
A complete interruption of the supply of oxygen to the brain.
What is cerebral hypoxia?
A partial supply of oxygen that is inadequate to maintain normal brain function.
What are some causes of anoxic brain injury?
- Cardiac or respiratory arrest
- Irregular heart rhythm
- Very low blood pressure following massive trauma
- Suffocation
- Choking
- Strangulation
- Very severe asthma attack
- Near drowning
- Exposure to high altitudes
- Smoke inhalation
- Carbon monoxide inhalation
- Poisoning
- Drug overdose
- Electric shock
- Attempted suicide
What is the medical treatment for anoxic brain injury?
- Restoring normal heartbeat
- Maintaining blood pressure
- Ensuring a good supply of oxygen to the brain
- Intensive care unit admission
- Ventilator support
- Medications for blood pressure and heart rate
- Therapeutic hypothermia
What are the immediate signs and symptoms of anoxic brain injury?
- Confusion
- Loss of consciousness
- Feeling woozy or dizzy
- Intense headache
- Vomiting
- Changes in behavior or sensation
What are some signs and symptoms of all acquired brain injuries?
- Changes in behavior or personality
- Difficulty with previously unchallenging tasks
- Changes in relationships
- Difficulty with short or long-term memory
- Trouble recognizing familiar people or animals
- New fears or phobias
- Psychological symptoms (e.g., depression or anxiety)
- Frequent headaches
- Unexplained pain in the limbs
- Coma and reduced awareness states
- Vegetative state
- Minimally Conscious state
- Locked-in Syndrome
What factors influence the prognosis of brain injuries?
- Age
- Location of contusion on the brain
- Length of time spent in coma
- Early signs
What types of professionals are involved in the multidisciplinary team (MDT) care for brain injuries?
- Physiotherapist
- Occupational Therapist
- Neurologist
- Rehabilitation doctors
- Clinical neuropsychologist
- Speech and Language Therapist
- Nurses
- Social Workers
- Orthotists
What are some components of physiotherapy management for brain injuries?
- Respiratory care
- Rehabilitation
- Sensory assessment
- Assessing and treating symptoms
Fill in the blank: A brain injury caused by trauma to the head is known as a _______.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
True or False: Women are more likely than men to be admitted for head injury.
False
