Anterograde amnesia, posttraumatic
An inability to remember events after an injury
Basilar skull fractures
Occurs following an impact to the head, generally resulting from extension of a linear fracture to the base of the skull and can be difficult to diagnose with a x-ray
Battle's sign
Bruising behind the ears over the mastoid process that may indicate a basilar skull fracture
Cerebral edema
Swelling of the brain
Closed head injury
Injury in which the brain has been injured but the skin has not been broken and there is no obvious bleeding.
Concussion
A temporary loss or alteration of part or all of the brain's abilities to function without actual physical damage to the brain
Coup-countercoup injury
Dual impacting of the brain into the skull; coup injury occurs at the point of impact; countercoup injury occurs on the opposite side of impact, as the brain rebounds
Distraction
An action of pulling the spine along its length
Epidural hematoma
An accumulation of blood between the skull and the dura mater
Intracerebral hematoma
Bleeding within the brain tissue (parenchyma) itself; also referred to as an intraparenchymal hematoma.
Intracranial pressure ICP
Amount of pressure inside the skull.
Linear skull fracture
Account for 80% of skull fractures; also referred to as nondisplaced skull fractures; commonly occur in the temporal-parietal region of the skull; not associated with deformities to the skull.
Meninges
Three membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord, consisting of the dura mater, pia mater, and arachnoid mater
Open head injury
Injury to the head often caused by a penetrating object in which there may be bleeding and exposed brain tissue.
Primary injury
An injury to the brain and its associated structures that is a direct result of impact to the head.
Raccoon eyes
Bruising under the eyes that may indicate a skull fracture.
Retrograde amnesia
Inability to remember events leading up to a head injury
Secondary injury
The "after effects" of the primary injury; includes abnormal processes such as cerebral edema, brain swelling, hemorrhage, infection, increased ICP.
Subarachnoid hemorrhage
Bleeding into the subarachnoid space,
"Worst headache of my life
Subdural hematoma
An accumulation of blood beneath the dura mater but outside the brain.
Subluxation
A partial or incomplete dislocation
Traumatic brain injury
A traumatic insult to the brain capable of producing physical, intellectual, emotional, social, and vocational; changes
ebook questions
...
What are the parts of the central nervous system?
the brain
the spinal cord
cerebrospinal fluid
The nervous system is divided into 2 parts?
the central nervous system
peripheral nervous system
The brain is divided into 3 major areas?
the cerebrum
the cerebellum
the brain stem
injury to the head and neck may indicate injury to the:
cervical spine
The ____ is composed of 3 layers of tissue that suspend the brain and spinal cord within the skull and spinal canal
meninges
The skull is divided into 2 large structures?
the cranium
the face
Peripheral nerves include the?
connecting nerves
sensory nerves
motor nerves
What are the functions of CSF?
Acts as a shock absorber
Bathes the brain and spinal cord
Buffers the brain and spinal cord from injury
The autonomic nervous system is composed of 2 parts?
sympathetic nervous system
parasympathetic nervous system
The most prominent and most easily palpable spinous process is at the ____ cervical vertebra at the base of the neck
7th
Emergency medical care of a patient with a possible spinal injury begins with
standard precautions
The _____is a tunnel running the length of the spine, which encloses and protects the spinal cord
spinal canal
Once the head and neck are manually stabilized, you should assess for?
pulse
motor function
sensation
The ideal procedure for moving a Patient from the ground to the backboard is the?
4 person log roll
Neck rigidity, bloody CSF, and headache are associated with what kind of bleeding in the brain?
subarachnoid hemorrhage
A_____ is a temporary loss of a part or all of the brains abilities to function without actual physical damage to the brain?
concussion
pCOLs
...
A reflex arc occurs when?
sensory nerves detects an irritating stimulus and bypasses the brain by sending a direct msg to the motor nerves
The MOST important treatment for patients with a head injury, regardless of severity is to?
establish an adequate airway
The effectiveness of positive pressure ventilations when treating a head injury patient can only be determined by?
immediate reassessment following the intervention
An indicator of an expanding intracranial hematoma or rapidly progressing brain swelling is?
A rapid deterioration of neurologic signs
In contrast to a cerebral concussion, a cerebral contusion
involves physical injury to the brain tissue
A tight-fitting motorcycle helmet should be left in place unless?
it interferes with your assessment of the airway
The hormone responsible for the actions of the SNS is?
epinephrine
The _____is the best-protected part of the CNS and controls the function of the cardiac and respiratory systems
Brain stem
The _____ contains about 75% of the brains total volume?
cerebrum
Moderate elevation in ICP with middle brain stem involvement is characterized by?
Sluggishly reactive pupils, widened pulse pressure, bradycardia, and posturing
Which of the following set of vital signs depicts Cushing's triad?
BP 190/110, pulse 55, RR30
When activated, the SNS produces all of the following effects?
dilation of the bronchiole smooth muscle
shunting of blood to vital organs
increase in heart rate
Common signs and symptoms of a serious head injury include all the following?
Combative behavior
Decreased sensory function
CSF leakage from the ears
The Glasgow Coma Scale is used to check
Eye opening, verbal response and motor response
CSF primarily acts as what?
shock absorber
The peripheral nervous system has 2 anatomic parts consisting of what?
31 pairs of spinal nerves and 12 pairs of cranial nerves
What are the 2 major types of peripheral nerves
sensory nerves and motor nerves
What do the spinal nerves do?
carry information from the body to the brain via spinal cord
What do the motor nerves do?
carry information from the CNS to the muscles; one per muscle
This connect the motor and sensory nerves?
reflex arch which can bypass brain if there is an irritating stimulus
What percentages of brain, blood, and CSF occupy the skull?
80% brain, 10% blood and CSF
Scalp laceration usually indicate what?
b/c they are usually from a blow to the head they indicate deeper, more serious injuries
Dilated pupils may indicate this?
head injury
What does ecchymosis means?
large bruise
Term for non-displaced skull fracture
linear skull fracture
This is high energy direct impact to the head
compressed skull fracture
What are signs of basilar skull fractures
battle signs and raccoon eyes but they may not present in the field
What are the two most common causes of secondary brain injuries
hypoxia and hypotension
Primary brain injury?
results from direct impact to the head
Secondary brain injury?
results from processes that increase the severity of a primary brain injurt
What are some examples of secondary brain injury
cerebral edema, intracranial hemorrhage, increased intracranial pressure, cerebral ischemia, and infection
What are the 3 signs of Cushing's Reflex
increased BP
decrease pulse rate
irregular respirations which are signs of ICP
Bleeding during intracranial hemorrhage can occur where in the skull
-epidural hematoma
-subdural hematoma
-intracerebral hematoma
This is when blood mixes with CSF in the subarachnoid space
subarachnoid hemorrhage
This is when a person can remember everything but the events leading up to the head injury
retrograde amnesia
Three general principles designed to protect and maintain the critical functions of the central nervous system
-establish adequate airway
-control bleeding and provide CPR
-assess baseline LOC and monitor
Before loading patient on backboard you should access this
PMS after your partner secures the head
pulses, motor, sensory
GCS of 13 to 15 indicates what
a mild brain injury
What is the highest and lowest GCS
15 and 3
GCS of 8 or less indicates what
a severe brain injury
S/S: widening pulse, combative, dyspnea
head injury
80% of all skull fractures
linear
S/S of Basilar Skull Fracture
battle signs and raccoon eyes
S/S: of ICP
Becks triad, irregular breathing, widening HR