Traumatic Brain Injury Flashcards
what are the common causes of TBI?
- motor veichle accidents
- cycling accidents
- sports injuries
- violence
name the three potential effects of head injury
- behaviour and personality changes
- cognitive impairment
- motor and sensory deficits changes
what are the behaviour and personality changes that can occur after TBI?
- anxiety
- depression
- loss of motivation
- difficulty controlling anger
- impulsivity
what are the cognitive impairments that can occur after TBI?
- problems with memory, attention and concentration
- low tolerance for noisy or stressful enviroments
- loss of insight and initiative
what are the potential changes in motor and sensory systems after TBI?
- loss of coordination
- muscle rigidity
- epilepsy
- difficulty speaking
- sight/ smell/ taste loss
- fatigue
- sexual problems
- paralysis
how do they access TBI?
The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)
what does GCS do ?
- monitors changes in conciousness
- monitors motor response, verbal response and eye opening
what does GCS scores mean?
- <8 is a severe head injury (coma)
- 9-12 is a moderate head injury
- > 12 is a mild head injury
what does GCS scores mean?
- <8 is a severe head injury (coma)
- 9-12 is a moderate head injury
- > 12 is a mild head injury
what are the three things GCS check?
- best motor response
- best verbal response
- eye opening
what is a closed head injury?
A trauma causes the brain to be violently shaken inside of the skull, such as a blast injury (no visible wound).
what is a crush injury?
when the head is sandwiched between two hard objects
what is an open/ penetrating injury?
when an object goes through the skull and enters the brain
What is a coup injury?
Primary injury caused when the head stops suddenly and the brain rushes forward. Brain incurs a primary impact injurt at the site of the skull strike as well as surrounding tissue
what is a contrecoup injury?
Secindary injury caused when the brain bounces off the primary surface of impact and goes on to impact the opposite side of the skull. The brain incurs a focal area of damage as well as damage to the nearby surrounding tissue.
