Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

NURS 2514 > Week 8 - Trauma & Head Injuries > Flashcards

Week 8 - Trauma & Head Injuries Flashcards

1
Q

head injuries can be…

A
  1. mild and have no permanent effects

2. life-threatening & cause massive brain damage & icnreased ICP

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

what are 3 types of head injuries

A
  1. concussion
  2. contrecoup
  3. contusion
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

what is a concussion

A
  • a reversible interference in brain function resulting from a blow to the head
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

what are symptoms of a concussion (4)

A
  • loss of conciousness
  • disruption of neural function
  • headache
  • retrograde amnesia of events immeditaly following the blow
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

does permanent damage occur with one concussion

A
  • no, typically brain imaging cannot detect permanent damage
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

what does multiple concussions cause

A
  • act synergistically to produce permanent neurological impairment
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

describe symptoms following a consussion

A
  • pts can have post-concussion symptoms that last 4-6 weeks

- ex. headache & insomnia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

what is a contrecoup head injury

A
  • a rebound injury
  • when a blow causes the skull & brain to move backwards & the momentum causes the brain to hit the opposite side of the skull
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

provide an example of a contrecoup head injury

A
  • a boxer gets punched in front of the head
  • this causes the face to get blown back, and the brain to bounce off the back of the head

direct injury = front of head
contre coup = back of head

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

what is a contusion

A
  • bruising of the brain tissue resulting from rupture of small blood vessels
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

what can a contusion cause

A
  • depending on the severity of the blow, it can cause increased ICP
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

what are 4 types of skull fractures

A
  • simple
  • compound
  • depressed
  • basilar
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

what is a simple fracture of the skull

A
  • break in the continuity of the bone

- but the wound (skin) remains closed

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

what is a compound fracture of the skull

A
  • break in the continuity of the bone & the skin

- an open fracture where the brain tissue is exposed to the enviro

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

what is a risk of compound fracture

A
  • risk of infection
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

what is a depressed fracture

A
  • when a piece of bone is displaced below the level of the skull & compresses the brain
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

what causes a depressed fracture

A
  • often something heavy falling on the head
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

what is a basilar fracture

A
  • fracture that occurs at the base of the skull
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

what does a basilar fracture often involve?

A
  • the ethmoid bone, specifically the ethmoid cirbriform plate
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

where is the cribriform plate found

A
  • roof of the nasal cavity & is very fragile
21
Q

what are signs of a basilar skull fracture

A
  • leaking CSF thru the ear = otorrhea

- leaking CSF thru the nose = rhinorrhea

22
Q

what are risks associated with basilar fractures

A
  • risk of infection

- laceration of blood vessels or nerves due to sharp edges of the bone

23
Q

why is there increased risk of infection w basilar fracture

A
  • the nasal cavity contains lots of bacteria, and now that the ethmoid bone has broken, this bacteria has access to the brain
24
Q

what are 2 categories of brain damage

A
  1. primary

2. secondary

25
Q

what is primary brain damage

A
  • direct injuries to the brain that occur immediately due to the impact
26
Q

what are examples of primary brain damage (6)

A
  • concussion
  • contusion
  • laceration
  • hemorrhage
  • hypoxia
  • diffuse axonal lesion (shearing lesions)
27
Q

what is secondary brain damage

A
  • damage that results from subsequent:
  • brain swelling
  • intracranial hematomas
  • infection
  • ischemia
  • hypoxia
28
Q

what is an intracranial hematoma

A
  • collection of blood in a tissue that results from ruptured blood vessels
29
Q

when can intracranial hematomas occur

A
  • immeditaley following an injury

- after some delay

30
Q

what are 3 types of intracranial hematomas

A
  1. epidural
  2. subdural
  3. intracerebral
31
Q

what is an epidural hematoma

A
  • bleeding above the dura mater, between the dura mater & bones of the cranium (which are typically firmly attached)
32
Q

what is a subdural hematoma

A
  • accumulation of blood within the potential space between the dura & arachnoid mater
33
Q

describe the onset of symptoms for a subdural hematoma (3)

A
  • can occur within 24 hrs after injury (acute)
  • can develop slowly, about a week after (subacute)
  • or weeks later (chronic)
34
Q

what is an intracerebral hematoma

A
  • accumulation of blood within the cerebrum
35
Q

what can cause an intracerebral hematoma

A
  • contusion
  • shearing injury
  • stroke
36
Q

what manifestations does primary damage to the head often cause

A
  • focal injuries = symptoms based on what part of the brain was effected
37
Q

what do secondary injuries often result in

A
  • increased ICP
38
Q

list 4 other symptoms of head injuries

A
  • seizures
  • cranial nerve damage
  • otorrhea, otorrhagia, rhinorrhea
  • fever
39
Q

how can head injuries cause seizures

A
  • the blood & inflammation can irritate neural tissue = lose electrical control = seizures
  • also the release of K+ from damaged neurons
40
Q

what is cranial nerve damage common in

A
  • basilar fractures
41
Q

what is otorrhea, otorrhagia, and rhinorrhea

A
  • CSF of blood leaking from the ear or nose
42
Q

what 2 signs does otorrhea, otorrhagia, and rhinorrhea cause

A
  • raccoons eye = bruising around the eyes

- battle sign = bruising behind the ear

43
Q

what do otorrhea, otorrhagia, and rhinorrhea cause

A
  • increases the risk of infection
44
Q

how can head injuries cause fever

A
  • infection

- hypothalamic impairment (important role in temp)

45
Q

what can mask the early signs of increased ICP? (2)

A
  • alcohol & drugs
46
Q

how do drugs & alcohol mask the signs of increased ICP

A
  1. have similar symptoms

2. causes dehydration

47
Q

how does dehydration associated w alcohol mask the signs of increased ICP

A
  • makes the injury seem better in the beginning bc dehydration = decreased P
  • but, once the alcohol is metabolized it produces a vasodilator = increased P by dilating vessels in the brain
48
Q

what complication may occur if there is increased ICP?

A
  • pressure on brainstem =
    1. decreased cough reflex
    2. decreased RR
    = risk of pneumonia is the pt is laying prone
49
Q

what can worsen neurological symptoms & brain damage

A
  • hypoxemia

NURS 2514 (75 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions