TBI - 8 (2 SATA) Flashcards

1
Q

Physiologic Review of the neurological system

A
  • Central Nervous System and Peripheral Nervous System
  • Brain
  • Brainstem – reflexes, vital signs
  • midbrain, pons, medulla oblongata
  • Cerebellum – muscle movement, balance, control
  • Cerebrum – Largest part, 2 hemispheres, 4 lobes
  • Frontal lobe
  • Parietal lobe
  • Temporal lobe
  • Occipital lobe

Pearson (2nd Ed.) Nursing: A Concept-based Approach to Learning, p.688-699

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2
Q
Physiologic Review (cont.)
Protective structures of the brain
A
  • Skull – bony protection to the brain that does not allow swelling
  • Meninges – protective connective tissue made out of three membranes
  • Cerebrospinal fluid – clear fluid in the subarachnoid space
    • cushions the brain
    • maintains chemical balance
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3
Q

Intracranial Pressure (ICP)

A
  • ICP is the pressure inside the skull
  • For adults >20 warrants immediate treatment intervention
  • Maintained via balance of blood volume, brain tissue, and CSF
  • More clearly described in Monroe Kellie Doctrine
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4
Q

Monroe Kellie doctrine

A
  • The body attempts to maintain equilibrium when ICP increases
  • Decrease blood supply to brain to compensate
  • Leads to a decrease in tissue perfusion of brain

-bleed/tumor/seizure/liver failure

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5
Q

Physiological importance of traumatic brain injury (tbi)

A
  • Brain is in a “closed system” within the skull
  • Impacts to the head can cause the brain to impact against the skull (coup and countercoup)
  • Bleeding within the skull can cause a feedback loop where increases in pressure reduces blood flow to the brain
  • Swelling to brain or surrounding tissues may also cause the feedback loop reducing blood flow to the brain.

[coup - injury on same side of impact
countercoup - injury on opposite side of impact]

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6
Q

How do we monitor ICP?

A
  • Invasive pressure transducer placed in the ventricles, subarachnoid space, epidural space
  • Several varieties – best is the ventriculostomy
  • Some noninvasive options but not suitable for long term monitoring and are generally not accurate

infection risk - meningitis
brain / vessel injury
bleeding

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7
Q

Measuring ICP

Ventriculostomy

A
  • Measured via the CSF in the ventricles of the brain
  • Normal is 5-15mmHg in adults
  • Above 20mmHg requires immediate intervention

•ANYTHING OVER 30mmHg IS LIFE THREATENING

hydrocephalus - fluid on brain
spine - not as accurate reading as brain

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8
Q

Measuring Cerebral Blood Flow

A

•Start with MAP – Mean Arterial Pressure [average pressure in arteries throughout cardiac cycle]
•Equation: MAP = [(2 x diastolic)+systolic] / 3
Diastole counts twice as much as systole because 2/3 of the cardiac cycle is spent in diastole.

A MAP of about 60 is necessary to perfuse coronary arteries, brain, kidneys.

•Usual range: 70-110

•Practice
120/80 = MAP __93____
100/54 = MAP __69____
142/96 = MAP __111____

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9
Q

Cerebral Perfusion Pressure (CPP)

A
  • CPP – pressure needed to ensure blood flow to brain
  • CPP = MAP – ICP
  • Normal CPP is between 60-100mmHg
  • <50mmHg is deadly

CPP ↑ 70 = greater outcome

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10
Q

Ventriculostomy Nursing Care

A
  • Keep transducer set at “0” unless otherwise ordered, keep level with patient’s head
  • Avoid anything that might impair drainage
  • Monitor insertion site
  • Transducer and drainage system are external
  • Mean pressure measured at end of expiration

foramen magnum

  • do not get out of bed
  • do not reposition in bed

~125-150ml spinal fluid in body
~20ml/hr produced

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11
Q

Clinical Manifestations of ↑ ICP

A
  • Δ in LOC [anxiety, restlessness, lethargy, repeating questions]
  • Cushing’s Triad
  • Ocular signs (papilledema / pupillary response changes / impaired eye movement)
  • ↓ motor function or posturing
  • Headache
  • Vomiting
  • Changes in speech
  • Seizures
  • Hemiparesis
Infants
•Bulging fontanels
•Cranial suture separation
•↑ head circumference
•high pitched cry
•Projectile vomiting / reflux
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12
Q

Glascow Coma Scale

A

Eye Opening Response:
• 4 → Eyes open spontaneously 4 points
• 3 → Eyes open to verbal command, speech, or shout
• 2 → Eyes open to pain (not applied to face)
• 1 → No eye opening

Verbal Response:
• 5 → Oriented
• 4 → Confused conversation, but able to answer questions
• 3 → Inappropriate responses, words discernible
• 2 → Incomprehensible sounds or speech
• 1 → No verbal response

Motor Response:
• 6 → Obeys commands for movement
• 5 → Purposeful movement to painful stimulus
• 4 → Withdraws from pain
• 3 → Abnormal (spastic) flexion, decorticate posture →│←
• 2 → Extensor (rigid) response, decerebrate posture ←│→
• 1 → No motor response

Minor: 13-15
Major: 9-12
Severe: 3-8

3-rain dead
8-call Organ Procurement - req’d by law
12-intubate - protect airway
7-coma

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13
Q

Pulse Pressure

A
  • Pulse Pressure – measures expansion of arteries in response to the volume of blood ejected during systole
  • PP=SBP-DBP
  • BP of 120/80 then PP=40
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14
Q

Pulse Pressure

A
  • Pulse Pressure – measures expansion of arteries in response to the volume of blood ejected during systole
  • PP=SBP-DBP
  • BP of 120/80 then PP=40
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15
Q

Cushing’s triad

A

Cushing’s triad is a late sign

  • Bradycardia
  • Hypertension with widening pulse pressure
  • Irregular, shallow respirations

•Monitor for Cushing’s Triad in ALL brain injury pts

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16
Q

Ocular Changes

A
  • Anisocoric – pupil of one eye differs in size from the other
  • Papilledema – swelling of optic disc (blanching)
  • Pupillary reaction changes Fixed, bilateral, dilated pupils – very bad, poor prognosis, very ominous
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17
Q

Motor Function

A
  • Assess motor movement, function, coordination
  • We evaluate each extremity separately if they are able to follow commands
  • Response to stimuli
  • Decorticate - abnormal flexion (in)
  • Decerebrate – abnormal extension (out)

usually not purposeful movement

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18
Q

TBI

Initial Management

A
  • AIRWAY
    • If GCS<8 intubate “less than 8, intubate”, or if any question about airway management
  • If trauma, immobilize cervical spine
  • Pulse ox, vitals, neuro checks, IV
  • Check blood glucose (bring back to normal to rule/out)
  • CBC, electrolytes, ABGs, LFTs, UA, blood culture if febrile, UDS, ETOH
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19
Q

Diagnostics

A
  • X-Ray – just bone
  • CT Scan – brain and soft tissue
  • MRI – gives cross section view, like a slice of bread
  • Angiogram – identifies ruptured, blocked, etc. blood vessels
  • EEG – electroencephalograph – measures electrical activity in brain (life support determination)
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20
Q

Drug Therapy

A
  • Loop diuretics (Mannitol)
  • Corticosteroids – primarily dexamethasone
  • Barbiturates – pentobarbital
  • Phenytoin – anti-convulsant
  • Sedatives + analgesics – morphine, fentanyl, Propofol (↓ vasoconstriction)

all given IV - NO PO even if awake

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21
Q

Therapy

Mannitol

A
  • Go to drug for ↑ ICP – reduces cerebral swelling and edema
  • Plasma expander – reduces viscosity of blood
  • Osmotic diuretic
  • Watch for hypotension, renal impairment
  • Other hypertonic solutions may be used

•*MAY MAKE INTRACRANIAL HEMORRHAGE

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22
Q

Hyperventilation

A

•Lowers CO2 → vasoconstriction → lowers cerebral blood flow → lowers ICP

temporary fix

CO2 = 35-45

23
Q

Nutrition

A
  • After head trauma, ↑ ICP – hyper-metabolism, hyper-catabolism
  • Start nutrition within 3 days
  • ↑ demand for glucose
  • Keep patient hydrated

ketones & acidosis

24
Q

Positioning

A
  • Keep head midline and in neutral position
  • Supine
  • Keep head of bed around 30-45 degrees
  • Don’t get up without assistance, don’t move in bed without assistance
  • SEIZURE PRECAUTIONS

no Q2 turns

25
Q

TBI

Causes

A
  • 28% Falls
  • 20% MVC / MVA
  • 19% Struck by or struck against objects
  • 11% Violence

•About 75% of TBIs seen in emergency rooms are mild cases

26
Q

Types of TBI

A
  • Concussion – most common, usually from shaking, impact, whiplash
  • Contusion – bruising or bleeding in the brain
  • Coup-countercoup – contusion on two sides of brain, one from impact and one from of the brain being pushed opposite direction –think whiplash
  • Diffuse Axonal – shaking or strong rotation, head moves faster than brain can keep up and axons tear leading to brain cell death
  • Penetration – bullet, knife, etc
27
Q

TBI Level

Mild

A
  • No or very brief loss of consciousness
  • Tests/brain scans appear normal
  • Usually person is dazed/confused, few if any other symptoms
  • Glasgow Coma Scale = 13-15

concussion

28
Q

Concussions

A
  • Sudden transient head injury with disruption of neural activity and change in LOC
  • Grades 1-3 mild to worse
  • Sometimes referred to as a “mild TBI”

•OK to let them sleep, as long as there are no urgent assessment findings e.g. fixed, dilated pupils. Sleep is actually very helpful

29
Q

Concussions

A
  • Try to limit mental and physical exertion
  • May have trouble falling asleep
  • Visual (photosensitivity especially), hearing, balance, memory issues
  • Headache•Vomiting
30
Q

Concussions

A
  • Try to limit mental and physical exertion
  • May have trouble falling asleep
  • Visual (photosensitivity especially), hearing, balance, memory issues
  • Headache
  • Vomiting
31
Q

TBI Level

Moderate

A
  • Loss of consciousness from minutes to hours
  • Confusion for days to weeks
  • Physical, cognitive, and/or behavioral changes that may be temporary or permanent
  • Glasgow Coma Scale = 9-12

prognosis depends on where injury is

32
Q

TBI Level

Severe

A
  • Most life threatening and usually intractable
  • Injury causes damage to brain tissue
  • Extensive rehab which may be partially or completely ineffective
33
Q

Contusions

A
  • Epidural hematoma
  • Slow if venous, fast if arterial
  • Unconscious, ↓LOC, headache, N+V
  • Emergency surgery
  • Subdural hematoma
  • Typically venous blood
  • Ipsilateral pupils dilate / fixed, drowsy
  • Subarachnoid hematoma
  • Bleeding into CSF
  • Trauma, cocaine abuse, aneurysm ruptures
  • Sudden severe headache, stiff neck, decreased LOC
34
Q

Skull Fractures

A
  • Basilar skull fracture – break in bone at the base of the skull
  • Most serious
  • Battle’s Sign – ecchymosis behind ears
  • Bruising around eyes “Raccoon eyes”
  • leaking CSF from nose / ears – Halo sign
  • High risk for meningitis but prophylaxis is rarely effective
  • Monitor for signs of infection
35
Q

Skull Fractures

A
  • Linear – most common
    • break in bone, but bone doesn’t move
    • no interventions if neurological assessments are fine
  • Depressed Skull fracture
    • part of skull is sunken in
    • surgical intervention to correct deformity
36
Q

Endocrine Problems

A

•Large number of TBI patients experience endocrine complications

  • Diabetes Insipidus
  • SIADH
  • Hypopituitarism
  • Cerebral Salt Wasting – rare, low blood Na concentration, dehydration

fluid/electrolyte issues

37
Q

Diabetes Insipidus

A
  • Kidneys unable to conserve water – inefficient ADH/Vasopressin
  • Polyuria
  • Dehydration, ↑ Na

electrolyte monitoring Q2

38
Q

SIADH

A
  • Too much ADH
  • Fluid retention, ↓Na
  • Edema, swelling
fluid overload
hypersecreted ADH
wet lung sounds
pulmonary edema
cardia
loop diuretics preferred - osmotic

leads to pulmonary issues
looks like CHF

39
Q

Cerebrum

A

composed of gray matter and has two hemispheres that are divided into four regions knows as lobes

40
Q

Cerebellum

A

second largest part of the brain

The cerebellum is made up of gray and white matter and is responsible for muscle movement, balance, and control.

coordinates stimuli from the cerebral cortex, transmitting information required for skeletal muscle coordination and smooth movements

41
Q

Midbrain

A

The midbrain or mesencephalon (from the Greek mesos, middle, and enkephalos, brain) is a portion of the central nervous system associated with vision, hearing, motor control, sleep/wake, arousal (alertness), and temperature regulation.

also called mesencephalon, region of the developing vertebrate brain that is composed of the tectum and tegmentum. It is located within the brainstem and between the two other developmental regions of the brain, the forebrain and the hindbrain; compared with those regions, the midbrain is relatively small.

42
Q

Brain Stem

A

made up of the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata.

The brainstem controls reflexes and influences all basic physiological functions including breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate. The brainstem also regulates activities such as vomiting, hiccupping, coughing, and sneezing. Ten of the 12 pairs of cranial nerves originate in the brainstem.

43
Q

Parietal Lobe

A

processes all of the sensory informa-
tion, including shapes, temperature, pain, and two-point dis-
crimination (e.g., hot vs. cold).

44
Q

Parietal Lobe

A

processes all of the sensory information, including shapes, temperature, pain, and two-point discrimination (e.g., hot vs. cold)

45
Q

Occipital Lobe

A

where the visual cortex is located, processes vision

46
Q

Occipital Lobe

A

where the visual cortex is located, processes vision

47
Q

Chase’s condition has improved and he is in the step-down neuro unit. Chase had a trach for his respiratory support while in ICU. He now has a covered and healing stoma. His PICC is in his left forearm. His Foley is to drainage, with hopes to begin bladder training this week. He is receiving tube feedings at 50mL/hr. in his JPEG. Feeds are tolerated well. Chase is awake and responds to his name. He is able to follow minor commands (squeeze my hand) and tracks visitors with his eyes. His plan includes a transfer to rehab this week and his parents are very involved in the discharge plans.

A
24.
What are some
 conditions that
 Chase is at risk for developing?
 List quality
 interventions
 to prevent them.
48
Q

Chase’s condition has improved and he is in the step-down neuro unit. Chase had a trach for his respiratory support while in ICU. He now has a covered and healing stoma. His PICC is in his left forearm. His Foley is to drainage, with hopes to begin bladder training this week. He is receiving tube feedings at 50mL/hr. in his JPEG. Feeds are tolerated well. Chase is awake and responds to his name. He is able to follow minor commands (squeeze my hand) and tracks visitors with his eyes. His plan includes a transfer to rehab this week and his parents are very involved in the discharge plans.

A

25.
What are the
important supports needed for Chase and his family upon transfer?

49
Q

Chase’s condition has improved and he is in the step-down neuro unit. Chase had a trach for his respiratory support while in ICU. He now has a covered and healing stoma. His PICC is in his left forearm. His Foley is to drainage, with hopes to begin bladder training this week. He is receiving tube feedings at 50mL/hr. in his JPEG. Feeds are tolerated well. Chase is awake and responds to his name. He is able to follow minor commands (squeeze my hand) and tracks visitors with his eyes. His plan includes a transfer to rehab this week and his parents are very involved in the discharge plans.

A
26.
What is
 the current nursing diagnosis / goals (list 
3) / interventions for Chase and
 his family?
50
Q

Chase’s condition has improved and he is in the step-down neuro unit. Chase had a trach for his respiratory support while in ICU. He now has a covered and healing stoma. His PICC is in his left forearm. His Foley is to drainage, with hopes to begin bladder training this week. He is receiving tube feedings at 50mL/hr. in his JPEG. Feeds are tolerated well. Chase is awake and responds to his name. He is able to follow minor commands (squeeze my hand) and tracks visitors with his eyes. His plan includes a transfer to rehab this week and his parents are very involved in the discharge plans.

A

27.
How do you know that
these
interventions are meeting Chase’s and his family’s needs?

51
Q

Decorticate

A

abnormal flexion (in)

52
Q

Decerebrate – abnormal extension (out)

A

abnormal extension (out)

53
Q

ipsalateral

A

same side

54
Q

contralateral

A

opposite side