TRAUMATIC HEAD INJURY
TRAUMATIC HEAD INJURY SHORT NOTES
- Head injury is trauma to the skull, resulting in mild to extensive damage to the brain.
TYPES OF HEAD INJURIES
Concussion
- Jarring of the brain within the skull with no loss of consciousness
Contusion
- Bruising type of injury to the brain tissue
Epidural hematoma
- Results from arterial bleeding
- Often associated with temporary loss of consciousness
- It is a surgical emergency
Subdural Hematoma
- Results from Venous bleed
- Tears in the veins crossing the subdural space
Intracerebral hemorrhage
- Blood vessel within the brain ruptures allowing blood to leak inside the brain
Subarachnoid hemorrhage
- Bleeding into the subarachanoid space
- Occur as a result of spontaneous cerebral aneurysm
ENDOCRINE DISORDERS SHORT NOTES – CLICK HERE
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
- Increased ICP
- Changes in level of consciousness
- Headache, nausea, vomitting, pupillary changes, papilledema
- Nuchal rigidity
- CSF drainage from the ears or nose
- Weakness, paralysis
- Decreased sensation or absence of feeling
- Seizure activity
- CSF can be distinguished from other fluids by the presence of concentric rings, when the fluid is placed on a white sterile background, such as a gauze pad(Bloody fluid surrounded by yellowish stain-Halo sign)
TREATMENT
- Monitor vital signs and level of consciousness
- Monitor for drainage from the nose or ears because this fluid may be CSF.
- Do not attempt to clean the nose, suction or allow the client to blow his or her nose if drainage occurs
- Do not clean the ear if drainage is noted, apply a loose, dry sterile dressing
SURGICAL INTERVENTION
- Craniotomy
