W8 - Brain Injuries Flashcards
(25 cards)
Define acquired brain injury
ABI is an injury caused to the brain since birth
What are the 2 types of acquired brain injuries
Traumatic
Non traumatic
Define a traumatic brain injury
TBI is an injury caused by trauma to the head
What are the 4 classifications of a TBI
Minor brain injury
Moderate brain injury
Severe brain injury
Very severe brain injury
Define minor brain injury
Loss of consciousness = less than 15 mins
Post traumatic amnesia = less than 1 hour
Define moderate brain injury
Loss of consciousness = 15-6 hours
Post traumatic amnesia = 1hr-24hrs
Define severe brain injury
Loss of consciousness = 6hrs - 48 hrs
Post traumatic amnesia = 24 hrs - 7 days
Define very severe brain injury
Loss of consciousness = more than 48 hours of sleep
Post traumatic amnesia = more than 7 days
What type of events can causes of TBI
RTA
Slipping & falling
Falling or being thrown that strikes the head
Shaken violently
Sports related events/activities
Acts of violence
Name the 3 types of TBI
Open (or penetrating) wounds
Crushing injuries
Closed head injuries
Immediate signs & symptoms of a TBI
Difficulty concentrating or confusion
Changes in consciousness
Headaches or dizziness
Vomiting & nausea
Dilated pupils
Hallucinations
Swelling at site of injury
Difficulty breathing
Causes of a non traumatic brain injury
Tumour
Stroke
Brain haemorrhage
Encephalitis
Carbon monoxide poisoning
Meningitis
What is a cerebral anoxia
Complete interruption of the supply of oxygen to the brain
What is a cerebral hypoxia
Still partial supply of oxygen to the brain but the level is inadequate to maintain normal brain function
Causes of an anoxic brain injury
Cardiac/respiratory arrest
Irregular heart rhythm
Very low blood pressure
Suffocation/choking/strangulation
Medical treatment of an Anoxic brain injury
Restore normal heartbeat, blood pressure & supply of oxygen to the brain
Admitted to intensive care & put in a ventilator
Drugs to maintain adequate blood pressure & normal heart beat
Medically induced cooling (therapeutic hypothermia)
Immediate signs & symptoms of an anoxic brain injury
Confusion
Loss of consciousness Headaches
Feeling woozy/dizzy
Ntense headache
Vomiting
Changes in behaviour or sensations
Hidden long term effects of a brain injury
Changes in behaviour
Difficulty with previous unchallenging tasks
Difficulty with short/long term memory
Trouble recognising familiar faces
New fears/phobias
Unexplained pain in limbs
Frequent headaches
What is the most severe coma & reduced awareness state
Vegetative state
Name the 3 coma & reduced awareness states
Vegetative state
Minimally conscious state
Locked-in syndrome
Explain what the vegetative state is
Severe, patients have their sleep-wake cycles but no conscious awareness of themselves or their surroundings
Explain the minimally conscious state
Shows distinct but limited signs of awareness & response to stimulation. Very difficult to remain aware or responsive for any length of time or in a predictable way
Explain the locked-in syndrome
Rare condition where a person in aware of themselves & surroundings but is unable to move or speak. They can move their eyes or eyelids & may communicate by blinking
What scale is used in the prognosis of a brain injury
Glasgow coma scale
