week 2 Flashcards
Traumatic Head Injury
Result of a blow or jolt to the head
Result of penetration of the head by bullet or other foreign object
Classifications of Impairments/ Disabilities:
Sensory/ Communication- 77.8% Gross Motor Skills- 70.5% Activities of Daily Living- 62.1% Cognitive- 95.2% Medical- 79.8% Behavioral- 80.1% Emotional- 76.5%
Scalp Lacerations:
Most minor type of head trauma
Profuse bleeding
Major complication is infection
types of skull fractures:
Linear
Depressed
Comminuted
Open
closed head injury
Concussion Contusion Laceration Coup- Contrecoup injury Diffuse axonal injury
Mild Brain Injury
GCS 13-15
One or more of the following conditions occur following an injury:
Loss of consciousness less than 5 minutes
No Loss of consciousness, but may be confused, disoriented or feeling dazed
Headache
Nausea or vomiting (particularly vomiting more than once)
Fatigue or drowsiness
Difficulty sleeping or sleeping more than usual
Dizziness or loss of balance
Post-traumatic Amnesia (PTA) less than 1 hour
Memory or concentration problems
Mood changes or mood swings
Feeling depressed or anxious
Score of 13-15 on the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)
** mTBI often not recognized at initial time of injury
Moderate Brain Injury
Loss of consciousness up to 6 hours
GCS of 9-12
Abnormal brain imaging
PTA greater- up to 24 hours
Often requires ICU admission and further diagnostic testing
Significant cognitive impairments may exist
Persons with Moderate and severe head injuries are never the same as before the injury
YEAH
Severe Brain Injury
GCS of 3-8
Ongoing monitoring in ICU
Potential for Intracerebral lacerations, Intracranial hemorrhages, etc.
Secondary Injury may result from:
Hypotension, hypoxia, ischemia and cerebral edema
SECONDARY INJURY
Secondary Injury includes any processes that occur after the initial injury and worsen or negatively influence outcome.
Damage to the brain occurs primarily because the delivery of oxygen and glucose to brain is interrupted. (iggy, p. 1051)
Diplopia
double vision
Papilledema
s optic disc swelling that is caused by increased intracranial pressure. The swelling is usually bilateral and can occur over a period of hours to weeks.
Factors that predict a poor outcome:
Intracranial hematoma Increasing age of the patient Abnormal motor responses Impaired or absent eye responses Early sustained hypotension, hypoxemia, or hypercapnia ICP levels higher than 20 mm Hg
Elevated ICP may lead to
Inadequate cerebral perfusion
Cerebral herniation
Life threatening*
*leading cause of death from head trauma in patients who reach the hospital alive
Skull has three essential components:
Brain Tissue- 78%
Blood- 12%
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)- 10%
**all held within a rigid skull, therefore increases in one require a decrease in another in order to maintain normal ICP (10-15mmHg)
Increased ICP: Compensatory Mechanisms
Increased CSF absorption Decreased CSF production Increased venous outflow Changes in intracranial blood volume Slight compression of brain tissue
Increased ICP causes
Mass Lesions- Brain tumor, Hematoma, Hemorrhage
Head Injuries- Contusion, Posttraumatic brain swelling, Hemorrhage
Infections- Meningitis, Encephalitis
Vascular conditions- Cerebral infarct
Lead or arsenic intoxication
Clinical Manifestations of Elevated ICP
Decreased LOC N &V Headache Change in speech pattern (&/or slurred) Aphasia Cushing’s Triad Decerebrate or decorticate posturing Pupils non-reactive and either dilated or constricted Seizures Cranial nerve dysfunction Behavioural Changes*: Restless, irritable, confused
Cushing’s Response/Triad
A compensatory response to rising ICP. A rising systolic pressure A widening Pulse pressure Bradycardia Late signs of brain stem dysfunction, correlates with decreasing brain compliance.
Basal skull fracture*
Many different possible fractures…Basal skull fracture is unique
Occurs at the base of the skull
Possible Clinical Signs:
CSF leakage from the nose
Blood behind eardrum
Bruising around eyes or behind ear
Loss of hearing, smell or vision; or double vision
Nerve damage-facial weakness
Potential for hemorrhage caused by damage to internal carotid artery, damage to CNs I, II, VII & VIII, and infection
If bleeding occurs into the foramen magnum-may see brainstem function changes (bradypnea, irregular respirations, hypertension, bradycardia, impaired balance, loss of vision)
CT: will show skull fracture in about 2/3 of head injury patients **often missed, therefore diagnosed based on clinical findings** Treatment: Tend to heal themselves Surgery to stop leakage if necessary Careful monitoring