Causes of acquire brain injuries-7
Definition of TBI
NOT DEGENERATIVE OR CONGENITAL
Outcomes of TBI depend on 5
immediate damage cumulative effects pre-morbid substance abuse interpersonal relationships and work history
Open Vs Close brain injuries
OPEN:
Closed:
Contusion
- small blood vessels on the surface hemorrhage
Coup vs CounterCoup
Coup:
- same side of brain where impact is
Counter:
Epidural Hematomas
Signs:
Subdural Hematoma
signs:
- resemble CVA and flucuate
Small clots can be reabsorbed vs. large need to be removed
Subarachnoid hematoma
space below arachnoid and above the pia mater
Diffuse Anoxal injury
- usually from shaking brain back and forth
Symptoms of Diffuse Anoxal Injury
disorientation or confusion headache nausea or vomit drowsiness or fatigue trouble sleeping sleeping longer than normal LOB or dizziness
Concussion
most common
can be caused by open or closed injury
momentary loss of consciousness and reflexes
repeated concussion leads to CTE
Symptoms of concussion
dizziness disorientation blurred vision difficulty concentrating altered sleep patterns nausea headache LOB amnesia
3 types of secondary problems
*cerebral damage occurs in result to initial injury
1. Increased ICP
2 anoxic injuries
3. postraumatic epilepsy
Increased ICP
Treatment: monitor, drugs, shunt
S&S of increased ICP
decreased responsiveness impaired consciousness severe headache vomiting irritability papilledema changes in vital signs--increased BP and decreased HR
normal ICP range
5-10mmHg—> above 20 is abnormal
anoxic injuries
brain tissue demands 20% of bodys O2 intake to maintain proper o2 sats and metabolic functions
What areas of the brain are vulnerable from anoxic injuries
hippocampus
cerebellum
basal ganglia
Post traumatic Epilepsy
what triggers a seizure
stress poor nutrition electrolyte imbalance missed meds flickering lights infection lack of sleep fever anger worry fear
what do you do if a pt. has a seizure
bring them to lowest safe level
do not put anything in mouth
protect them from hitting head but do not restrain
flip on side if they are starting to vomit
medications for seizures
Phenytoin
phenobarbital
carbamazepine
**also used to control behavior
Glasgow Coma Scale