NSG 4100 Adult Health Head and Brain Injuries
Review Exam Questions and Answers
Head Injury
Damage to the head from trauma or injury.
Skull Fracture
Break in skull continuity due to trauma.
Battle Sign
Bruising behind ears indicating skull base fracture.
CSF Leakage
Cerebrospinal fluid escaping from ears/nose.
Halo Sign
Test for CSF presence in drainage.
Neuro Assessments
Frequent checks on neurological status.
Intracranial Pressure (ICP)
Pressure inside the skull; normal < 25 mmHg.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Brain damage from external force; can be closed/open.
Contusion
Bruising of the brain tissue in a specific area.
Intracranial Hemorrhage
Blood collection within the brain causing ICP increase.
Epidural Hematoma
Blood collection between skull and dura mater.
Lucid Interval
Period of consciousness after head injury.
Herniation
Brain displacement causing altered LOC and pupil changes.
,Intracerebral Hematoma
Bleeding within the brain's parenchyma.
Subdural Hematoma (SDH)
Blood collection between the dura mater and brain.
CT Scan
Imaging technique to diagnose brain injuries.
MRI
Imaging for detailed brain structure assessment.
Patient Positioning
Lateral/semi-prone to promote drainage.
Seizure Precautions
Measures to prevent seizures in head injury patients.
Glucose Testing
Check drainage for glucose to confirm CSF.
Supportive Care
Management focused on patient comfort and recovery.
Headache
Common symptom following brain injury.
Subdural Hematoma
Blood collection between dura and brain.
Common Causes
Coagulopathies or ruptured aneurysms.
Acute Subdural Hematoma
Typically results from a fall.
Clinical Manifestations (CM)
Change in LOC, pupil size, hemiparesis.
Severe Symptoms
Coma, increased BP, decreased HR, RR.
Immediate Attention
,Expanding mass requires urgent medical intervention.
Chronic Subdural Hematoma
Common in older adults, slow onset.
Misdiagnosis Risk
Often mistaken for a stroke.
Blood Character Change
Thicker and darker in 2-4 days.
Calcification
Can lead to ossification of the hematoma.
Chronic CM
Severe headaches, personality changes, mental deterioration.
Infocal Seizures
Seizures occurring in focal areas of the brain.
Treatment Options
Burr holes or craniotomy for chronic cases.
Head Injury Protocol
Assume spinal injury until proven otherwise.
Transportation Guidelines
Use board to maintain head and neck alignment.
Cervical Collar Use
Apply until cervical spine XR is done.
ICP Treatment
Surgery to evacuate blood clot, monitor ICP.
Cushing's Reflex
Bradycardia, hypertension, widened pulse pressure.
Temperature Management
Maintain body temperature below 100.4ºF.
GCS Scale
Lowest score is 3, highest is 15.
, Severe Head Injury GCS
Scores of 3-8 indicate severe head injury.
Environmental Management
Reduce stimuli: quiet room, limit visitors.
Cerebral Aneurysm
Structural abnormalities causing artery dilation.
Common Causes of Aneurysm
AVM, trauma, hypertension, congenital defects.
Aneurysm Symptoms
Stiff neck, severe headache, photophobia.
Diagnosis Methods
CT, MRI, CTA for cerebral aneurysms.
Monitoring Needs
Prevent re-bleeding, manage vasospasm, hydrocephalus.
Antidotes
Protamine for heparin, Vitamin K for warfarin.
Intracranial Pressure (ICP)
Pressure within the skull, normal range 0-15 mmHg.
Monro-Kellie Hypothesis
Volume changes in brain, blood, or CSF affect each other.
Cerebral Edema
Fluid accumulation increasing brain tissue volume.
Cerebral Perfusion Pressure (CPP)
CPP = ICP - MAP; normal range 70-100 mmHg.
Cushing's Response
Systemic response to decreased cerebral blood flow.
Cushing Triad
Bradycardia, hypertension, and irregular respiratory patterns.
Autoregulation
Review Exam Questions and Answers
Head Injury
Damage to the head from trauma or injury.
Skull Fracture
Break in skull continuity due to trauma.
Battle Sign
Bruising behind ears indicating skull base fracture.
CSF Leakage
Cerebrospinal fluid escaping from ears/nose.
Halo Sign
Test for CSF presence in drainage.
Neuro Assessments
Frequent checks on neurological status.
Intracranial Pressure (ICP)
Pressure inside the skull; normal < 25 mmHg.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Brain damage from external force; can be closed/open.
Contusion
Bruising of the brain tissue in a specific area.
Intracranial Hemorrhage
Blood collection within the brain causing ICP increase.
Epidural Hematoma
Blood collection between skull and dura mater.
Lucid Interval
Period of consciousness after head injury.
Herniation
Brain displacement causing altered LOC and pupil changes.
,Intracerebral Hematoma
Bleeding within the brain's parenchyma.
Subdural Hematoma (SDH)
Blood collection between the dura mater and brain.
CT Scan
Imaging technique to diagnose brain injuries.
MRI
Imaging for detailed brain structure assessment.
Patient Positioning
Lateral/semi-prone to promote drainage.
Seizure Precautions
Measures to prevent seizures in head injury patients.
Glucose Testing
Check drainage for glucose to confirm CSF.
Supportive Care
Management focused on patient comfort and recovery.
Headache
Common symptom following brain injury.
Subdural Hematoma
Blood collection between dura and brain.
Common Causes
Coagulopathies or ruptured aneurysms.
Acute Subdural Hematoma
Typically results from a fall.
Clinical Manifestations (CM)
Change in LOC, pupil size, hemiparesis.
Severe Symptoms
Coma, increased BP, decreased HR, RR.
Immediate Attention
,Expanding mass requires urgent medical intervention.
Chronic Subdural Hematoma
Common in older adults, slow onset.
Misdiagnosis Risk
Often mistaken for a stroke.
Blood Character Change
Thicker and darker in 2-4 days.
Calcification
Can lead to ossification of the hematoma.
Chronic CM
Severe headaches, personality changes, mental deterioration.
Infocal Seizures
Seizures occurring in focal areas of the brain.
Treatment Options
Burr holes or craniotomy for chronic cases.
Head Injury Protocol
Assume spinal injury until proven otherwise.
Transportation Guidelines
Use board to maintain head and neck alignment.
Cervical Collar Use
Apply until cervical spine XR is done.
ICP Treatment
Surgery to evacuate blood clot, monitor ICP.
Cushing's Reflex
Bradycardia, hypertension, widened pulse pressure.
Temperature Management
Maintain body temperature below 100.4ºF.
GCS Scale
Lowest score is 3, highest is 15.
, Severe Head Injury GCS
Scores of 3-8 indicate severe head injury.
Environmental Management
Reduce stimuli: quiet room, limit visitors.
Cerebral Aneurysm
Structural abnormalities causing artery dilation.
Common Causes of Aneurysm
AVM, trauma, hypertension, congenital defects.
Aneurysm Symptoms
Stiff neck, severe headache, photophobia.
Diagnosis Methods
CT, MRI, CTA for cerebral aneurysms.
Monitoring Needs
Prevent re-bleeding, manage vasospasm, hydrocephalus.
Antidotes
Protamine for heparin, Vitamin K for warfarin.
Intracranial Pressure (ICP)
Pressure within the skull, normal range 0-15 mmHg.
Monro-Kellie Hypothesis
Volume changes in brain, blood, or CSF affect each other.
Cerebral Edema
Fluid accumulation increasing brain tissue volume.
Cerebral Perfusion Pressure (CPP)
CPP = ICP - MAP; normal range 70-100 mmHg.
Cushing's Response
Systemic response to decreased cerebral blood flow.
Cushing Triad
Bradycardia, hypertension, and irregular respiratory patterns.
Autoregulation
