Trauma Flashcards

1
Q

What are stem cells?

A

have the potential to develop into every type of cell in the body

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

Current stem cell research

A

examining the use of stem cells that could possibly be used to replace the neurons and glial cells that die after spinal cord injury.

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

Adult stem cells

A

multipotent, with a more limited capacity to differentiate into specific cell types
- Blood stem cells only make all specialized blood cells (WBC, RBC, etc), bone stem cell only make all specialized bone cells (osteoclasts, osteoblasts, etc)

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

Embryonic stem cells

A

pluripotent, meaning they have the potential to develop into any type of cell in the body, making them highly versatile for regenerative medicine

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

What are induced pluripotent stem cells?

A

adult cells that have been genetically manipulated in the lab to act like embryonic cells

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is induced pluripotency transduction?

A

a process in which adult cells, such as skin or blood cells, are reprogrammed to become pluripotent stem cells. This reprogramming involves the introduction of specific genes or factors into the adult cells, which ‘induce’ them to revert to a more primitive, pluripotent state, similar to embryonic stem cells

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Ethical Implications/Considerations of Stem Cell Research

A

Taken from IVF

  • Obama lifted a 8 year ban on stem cell research that restricted federal funding
  • This moves opens the door for research to access 10 billion dollar for biomedical research
  • Opposition to this moves states if an embryo is a life, then no government has the right to sanction their destruction for research
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What determines the type of spinal cord lesion

A
  • mechanism of injury
  • direction of forces
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Define Complete Spinal Cord Injury

A

A complete spinal cord injury produces total loss of all motor and sensory function below the level of injury.

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

_____ of all spinal cord injuries are complete

A

1/2

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

True or false: in a complete spinal cord injury the cord is cut and/or transected

A

False

the spinal cord is rarely cut or transected; bruising/swelling/bone fragments around cord decreasing perfusion via pressure to glial cells more commonly causes loss of function

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What commonly causes loss of function in spinal cord injuries

A

bruising/swelling/bone fragments around cord decreasing perfusion via pressure to glial cells more commonly causes loss of function

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

True or false: the original presentation of function following an SCI is the level of function the patient has permanently

A

False

Once swelling from initial injury subsides, mobility and sensation can increase. Need to await for prognosi

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

Define Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury

A

there is some functioning below the primary level of the injury

may be able to move one limb more than another, may be able to feel parts of the body that cannot be moved, or may have more functioning on one side of the body than the other.

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

What is helpful in predicting what parts of the body may be affected by paralysis/loss of function

A

Level of injury

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Incomplete injuries there will be some ________ in these prognoses.

A

variation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

True or false: a break in vertebra indicates a SCI

A

False: Can break vertebra without damage to cord

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Cervical injuries result in

A

Quadriplegia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

At C3 and above level requires

A

ventilator support

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

C5 injuries result in

A

result in shoulder and biceps control, but no control at the wrist or hand. diaphragm function still present.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

_________ is still present when injury at C-5.

A

Diaphragm function

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Injuries at C6/C7 result in

A

Quadriplegia, some function of upper extremities, sensory level lost below sternum

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

SCI to thoracic level results in

A

paraplegia, with the hands not affected.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

SCI to T1-T8 result

A

most often control of the hands, but poor trunk control as the result of lack of abdominal muscle control.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

SCI to T9-T12 result in

A

good truck control and good abdominal muscle control. Sitting balance is very good

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

SCI to lumbar/sacral region

A

decreasing control of the hip flexors and legs.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

True or false: following SCI patients tend to struggle most with altered mobility/sensation/paralysis

A

false

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

What other changes than mobility/sensation/paralysis do SCI patients struggle with most

A
  • bowel/bladder dysfunction
  • sexual functioning (men decreased fertility, womens not affected)
  • low BP/inability to regulate
  • inability to regulate temperature
  • inability to sweat below injury level
  • chronic pain
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

4 components of SCI diagnosis

A
  1. neuro exam for level of injury
  2. reflexes
  3. spine x ray
  4. CT/MRI
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

What is autonomic dysreflexia?

A

A complication related to SCI in which various triggers cause reflexes - occurs when there is an abnormal, exaggerated response of the autonomic nervous system to a noxious stimulus or irritation below the level of the spinal cord injury

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

Definition and triggers associated with autonomic dysreflexia

A

a dangerous syndrome involving an overreaction of your autonomic nervous system

    • distension of the bladder (most common)
  • bladder or kidney stones
  • a kink in a urinary catheter, - infection of the urinary tract,
  • fecal impaction,
  • pressure sores
  • an ingrown toenail,
  • fractures
  • menstruation
  • hemorrhoids
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

Reason for corticosteroids in SCI treatment

A

reduce swelling that may damage the spinal cord.

dexamethasone or methylprednisolone

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

2 reason for surgery in SCI treatment

A
  1. remove fluid or tissue that presses on the spinal cord (decompression laminectomy).
  2. needed to remove bone fragments, disc fragments, or foreign objects or to stabilize fractured vertebrae
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

Beyond drugs and surgery, what are the other components of SCI treatment?

A
  1. bedrest to allow spinal bones to heal
  2. address muscle spasms, care of skin, bladder/bowel dysfunction
  3. rehab
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

What is the most common head injury?

A

Concussion-Mild Brain Injury

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

Define concussion

A
  • A mild injury to the brain caused by rapid movement of the head so that the brain is injured by hitting the inside of the skull.
  • Traumatic induced alteration in mental status
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

Simple test to assess for concussion

A

closing your eyes and holding balance on one leg; concussed individuals are unable

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
38
Q

What are the most common EARLY signs and symptoms of a concussion?

A

confusion, amnesia, N/V

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
39
Q

What is perceived as the most common early sign and symptom of a concussion?

A

Loss of consciousness

40
Q

Early signs and symptoms of concussion

A
  • General confusion and amnesia are most common signs
  • Nausea and vomiting very common sign
    o Kid falls, and throws up = likely has concussion
  • Dizziness and/or “seeing stars”
  • Strange behavior and unusual emotions
  • Slurred speech
  • Headache
  • Slow to respond to questions
  • Lack of coordination and balance
  • Loss of consciousness is not most common; perceived
41
Q

What is Postconcussive Syndrome of Childhood (PCS)

A

symptoms do not always show up immediately (2-12 hours post injury)

42
Q

Symptoms of PCS?

A
  • Delayed lethargy, irritability, and behavioral changes-irritability.
  • Headache, dizziness, vomiting are common.
  • Depression, anxiety can present as “late symptoms” because they generally do not occur immediately after the injury.
43
Q

When is PCS diagnosed?

A

after three months of persisting symptoms

44
Q

What is second impact syndrome?

A

An extremely rare condition in which the brain swells rapidly and catastrophically after a person suffers a second concussion before symptoms from an earlier one have subsided. The deadly second blow may occur days or weeks after initial concussion

45
Q

What occurs in second impact syndrome?

A

Massive cerebral bleed occurs because brains arteries lose ability to regulate diameter.

46
Q

Considerations to prevent second impact syndrome

A

Children must be completely symptom free before return to sport

47
Q

What is chronic traumatic encepholpathy?

A

Cumulative Effects of Concussions over a Period of Time

a degenerative (death of nerve cells over time) brain condition that results from repeated head injuries, such as concussions. It is most commonly associated with contact sports like football and boxing but can also occur in military veterans and others exposed to head trauma. CTE is characterized by the accumulation of abnormal protein deposits in the brain, leading to a range of cognitive, emotional, and neurological symptoms that can worsen over time.

48
Q

Symptoms and impact of CTE

A

Irritability, impulsivity, dementia

49
Q

What is increased ICP and what is it due to?

A

Increase in the normal brain pressure.
This can be due to:
- an increase in cerebrospinal fluid pressure
- force exerted by brain tissue,
- CSF and blood within the cranial vault.

50
Q

What can increased ICP lead to?

A

Decreased cerebral perfusion pressure

  • Amount of pressure needed to ensure adequate O2 and nutrient delivery to the brain

INCREASED ICP REDUCES BLOOD FLOW TO THE BRAIN

51
Q

What protective factors are there for children under 3 regarding increased ICP

A
  • Up to 2-3 skull is not fully formed (fontanelles); good things because skull will expand. Following ossification, if brain is swelling there is nowhere to swell
52
Q

Early signs of increased ICP

A

o Headache
o Vomiting
o visual disturbances (diplopia and blurred)
o slight v/s changes (decreased pulse, increased BP)
o slight LOC change
o seizures

53
Q

Signs of increased ICP in infants/young toddlers

A

cannot verbalize headache, visual disturbances, slight LOC changes

  • bulging fontanelles
  • increased head circumference
  • irritability/high pitched crying
  • dilated scalp veins
  • widened sutures
54
Q

Late signs of increased ICP

A

o significant ↓LOC
o ↓ motor and sensory responses
o Bradycardia
o irregular respirations/Cheyne Stokes
o posturing
o fixed and dilated pupils

55
Q

Assessment for increased ICP

A
  1. ABC - priority to guide intervention
  2. LOC - most important indicator of neuro changes (not cry)
  3. head circumference < 3y0
  4. Vitals
56
Q

Vital sign changes are ______ of increased ICP

A

late sign

57
Q

What is Cushing’s Triad?

A

Changes in vital signs that occur with increased ICP

a set of three classic signs seen in cases of increased intracranial pressure (pressure inside the skull): hypertension (high blood pressure), bradycardia (slow heart rate), and irregular, erratic breathing

58
Q

What are the 3 components of Cushing’s Triad?

A
  1. bradycardia
  2. widening pulse pressure: an increase in the difference between systolic and diastolic pressure over time
  3. irregular respirations
59
Q

Diagnosis of ICP

A

MRI/CT

Lumbar Puncture

60
Q

Normal ICP

A

1-10mmHg

61
Q

What ICP level is considered abnormal

A

Over 15mmHg

62
Q

What is a TBI

A

Head trauma leading to brain injury is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in childhood.

Related to ICP

63
Q

What are the most common causes of TBI in childhood?

A
  1. falls
  2. sports
  3. hit on the head
  4. bike
  5. MVA especially as pedestrian
64
Q

Considerations when child is brought in with TBI and parents state it was a fall

A

Must have fallen from at least 3 feet to cause

Determine if injury was intentional

65
Q

Symptoms of TBI

A
  • Changes or impaired in LOC
  • Headache
  • Amnesia
  • Disorientation or confusion
  • Vomiting
  • Blurred vision
  • Seizures
66
Q

What is an intracranial injury and what are the signs?

A

A worsened TBI

  • Prolonged loss of consciousness
  • Disorientation, confusion; amnesia
  • Worsening headache
  • Repeated or persistent vomiting
67
Q

Severe TBI is indicated by what 4 things

A

GCS of 8 or less

post traumatic amnesia greater than 24 hours

coma

increased ICP

68
Q

4 components of pediatric GCS

A
  1. eye opening
  2. best motor response
  3. best response to auditory and/or verbal stimulus
  4. pupils
69
Q

Eye opening pediatric GCS 1, 2, 3, 4

A

4 - spontaneously
3- to speech
2 - to pain
1 - none

70
Q

best motor response pediatric GCS 1,2, 3, 4, 5, 6

A

1 - none
2 - extension
3 - flexion abnormal
4 - flexion withdrawal
5 - localizes pain
6 - obeys commands

71
Q

best auditory/verbal response > 2yearold GCS T, 1, 2, 3, 4 ,5

A

T - tracheal tube
1 - none
2 - incomprehensible words
3 - inappropriate words
4 - confused
5 - oriented

72
Q

best auditory/verbal response < 2yearold GCS T, 1, 2, 3, 4 ,5

A

T - tracheal tube
1 - none
2 - agitated
3 - inappropriate persistent cry
4 - cries, consolable
5 - smiles, listens, follows

73
Q

What is important to consider when utilizing GCS to assess pediatrics

A

o Heavily rely on parents because kids can ignore strangers and know differing cries, behaviour, etc

o Irritable does not necessarily mean CNS deficits; may not want to be around you

74
Q

When do most post-traumatic seizures occur?

A

on impact or within 24 hours.

75
Q

Early post traumatic seizure occurrence

A

1-7 days after injury

76
Q

Late post traumatic seizure occurrence

A

> 1 week post injury

77
Q

Early and late post-traumatic seizures are more frequently associated with ______________ and include what 4 things:

A

Visible cranial injury
o brain swelling
o subdural hematomas
o depressed skull fractures
o and lower GCS scores.

78
Q

7 Complications of Severe Head Injury

A
  • Ischemia insufficient blood flow
  • Death of brain tissue due to hypoxia
  • Motor/sensory deficits
  • Hearing, vision
  • Speech may be affected
  • Learning disabilities
  • Behavioral problems
79
Q

What is an epidural hematoma?

A

Bleed between cranium and dura (protective outer membrane of brain

Usually caused by skull #

SUDDEN onset

80
Q

What is a subdural hematoma?

A

Bleed directly against brain

SLOWER onset

81
Q

What type of brain bleed has a slower onset?

A

subdural

82
Q

When are signs of ICP present til in subdural hematoma?

A

until 24 hours – 2 weeks after injury

83
Q

What are the leading cause of hospitalization and death for Canadian children and youth between the ages of 1 and 19 years.

A

Injuries

84
Q

Unintentional Injury

A

falls, burns, drowning, motor vehicle incidents and other situations that are often referred to as “accidents.”

85
Q

Intentional Injuries

A

acts of violence such as suicide attempts, rape and assault (physical or sexual)

86
Q

What are the implications of the Sask Prevention Institutes Statement:
* “Unintentional injuries are not “accidents”; they are predictable and preventable.”
* “Often the appropriate injury prevention steps are not taken which results in devastating injuries.”

A

Places judgement on parents

87
Q

What are the key messages for nurses regarding injuries of children?

A
  • Not our role to judge parents regarding the “accident”
  • It is our role to care for the entire family (both parents and child).
88
Q

Fall Prevention

A
  • safety measures dependent on child’s development
  • adult should participate in active supervision
89
Q

When can children cross the street safely by themselves and why?

A

until age 9
Reasons include:
– Mental/cognitive development/perception
– Height – might not be seen
– Sight
– Hearing – even if they hear, don’t recognize danger

90
Q

Main poisoning hazards

A
  1. medicine
  2. vitamins
  3. plants
  4. cosmetics
  5. chemicals
91
Q

Poisoning prevention

A
  • Store poisonous substances in locked cabinets (not just stored up high).
  • Call the Poison Centre in the case of a suspected poisoning
92
Q

Roles of nurse in injury prevention

A

Encourage

  • education for parents
  • engineering
  • environmental safety
  • enforcement of policy
  • evaluation using research
93
Q

6 Nursing Diagnosis for Alterations to Neuro Function

A
  1. inadequate airway
  2. altered neuro function r/t increased ICP
  3. Pain r/t increased ICP
  4. Risk for ineffective tissue perfusion r/t increased ICP
  5. Potential for seizures r/t increased ICP
  6. Potential for FV deficit r/t increased ICP
94
Q

7 Nursing Interventions r/t Alterations to Neurological Status

A
  • Maintain patient airway
  • Breathing – Oxygen
  • Monitor neuro function using GCS
  • Monitor fluid volume
  • Monitor for seizures
  • Maintain safe environment
  • Pain medications
95
Q

As ICP increases, _______ decreases and ________ become more pronounced

A

LOC
Signs and symptoms

96
Q

TBI occurs when a head trauma results in

A

Disruption to normal function of the brain

97
Q

are you beautiful and smart and trying so hard in school and awesome

A

yes