Head and Neck Trauma -TCRN UPDATED ACTUAL Questions and CORRECT
Answers
1. What is a concussion? mild TBI caused by a blow or jolt to the head leading to temporary
disruption of brain function
2. What are some s/s of a con- -Headache: persistent or severe
cussion? Name 4 -loc, fatigue, or poor balance
Cognitive: amnesia, disorientation, or mental confusion
-sleep disturbances or sleepiness
-nausea or vomiting
-irritability, mild depression
-ringing in the ears, or sensitivity to light
3. What is a brain contusion? bruising of the surface of the brain without penetration, typically at
the site of impact or the opposite due to brain movement
4. What are s/s of a brain con- Neuro: Trouble concentrating, memory problems, confusion, and
tusion? (Name at least 4 changes in thinking. Diflculty speaking or understanding others.
neuro and 4 physical s/s) Behavior changes. Mood or personality changes, irritability, or dif-
What are severe s/s? ficulty falling asleep.
(Name 4)
, Physical Symptoms: Headaches, lightheadedness, dizziness, numb-
ness or tingling in the limbs, localized weakness, blurred vision, and
impaired coordination.
Sensitivity to light or sound, and ringing in the ears (tinnitus).
Severe Signs: Repeated vomiting, repeated seizures, slurred
speech, loss of consciousness, or one pupil being larger than the
other.
5. What are some long term -persistent post-concussion syndrome (PCS) (symptoms like
outcomes of brain contu- headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and cognitive issues)
sion? What are patients in -increased risks of developing neurodegenerative diseases
risk of? (Name 3 specific Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS),
diseases or injury) Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)
-Other long-term ettects can involve seizures, depression, person-
ality changes, and diflculty with memory, attention, and executive
functions.
6. What are some complica- Swelling
tions of brain contusions? Infections
name 4 Stroke
Coma and Death
Neurodegenerative Diseases
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)
,7. What is Chronic Traumatic CTE is a degenerative brain disease that progressively damages the
Encephalopathy (CTE)? brain over time. It's thought to be caused by repeated head injuries,
including concussions and nonconcussive blows, and is often found
in athletes and military veterans. CTE is incurable and permanent,
and worsens slowly, eventually leading to dementia
8. What is a diffuse axonal in- -a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI)
jury (DAI)? How is it caused -caused by blunt trauma
and what happens to the -the brain rapidly shifts within the skull, shearing the brain's nerve
brain? fibers.
-can disrupt the brain's chemical processes and communication,
leading to neurological problems, coma, long-term impairment, or
death.
9. What are some signs Loss of consciousness, Confusion and disorientation, Headache,
and symptoms of a DAI? Nausea and vomiting, Seizures, Weakness or paralysis, Persistent
Name 8. What are some headache, Cognitive problems, Motor problems, Sensory prob-
long-term effects? name 2. lems, Sleep disturbances, Mood changes, Seizures (in some cases)
Long-Term Ettects:
Permanent cognitive and motor impairments, Chronic pain, Dif-
ficulty with daily living activities, and Emotional and behavioral
problems.
, 10. What are some long term -Generally poor with significant neurological deficits
outcomes for a patient -persistent memory, attention, and decision-making issues.
with DAI? What is crucial to -Permanent cognitive and motor impairments, Chronic pain,
mitigate these effects? -Diflculty with daily living activities
-Emotional and behavioral problems
-Rehabilitation and supportive care to prevent further axonal dam-
age, but lasting brain and nervous system problems are common
11. What is a secondary brain Progressive damage resulting from the body's physiologic re-
injury? sponse to the initial insult (for example edema, hypoxia, ischemia,
and inflammation can increase ICP further damaging brain tissue)
12. How can you prevent sec- -monitoring and managing ICP
ond brain injury? (Name -optimizing cerebral perfusion pressure CPP
the basics, at least 4) -oxygenation and ventilation
-temperature management
-seizure prophylaxis
-nutritional support
-early rehab
Answers
1. What is a concussion? mild TBI caused by a blow or jolt to the head leading to temporary
disruption of brain function
2. What are some s/s of a con- -Headache: persistent or severe
cussion? Name 4 -loc, fatigue, or poor balance
Cognitive: amnesia, disorientation, or mental confusion
-sleep disturbances or sleepiness
-nausea or vomiting
-irritability, mild depression
-ringing in the ears, or sensitivity to light
3. What is a brain contusion? bruising of the surface of the brain without penetration, typically at
the site of impact or the opposite due to brain movement
4. What are s/s of a brain con- Neuro: Trouble concentrating, memory problems, confusion, and
tusion? (Name at least 4 changes in thinking. Diflculty speaking or understanding others.
neuro and 4 physical s/s) Behavior changes. Mood or personality changes, irritability, or dif-
What are severe s/s? ficulty falling asleep.
(Name 4)
, Physical Symptoms: Headaches, lightheadedness, dizziness, numb-
ness or tingling in the limbs, localized weakness, blurred vision, and
impaired coordination.
Sensitivity to light or sound, and ringing in the ears (tinnitus).
Severe Signs: Repeated vomiting, repeated seizures, slurred
speech, loss of consciousness, or one pupil being larger than the
other.
5. What are some long term -persistent post-concussion syndrome (PCS) (symptoms like
outcomes of brain contu- headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and cognitive issues)
sion? What are patients in -increased risks of developing neurodegenerative diseases
risk of? (Name 3 specific Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS),
diseases or injury) Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)
-Other long-term ettects can involve seizures, depression, person-
ality changes, and diflculty with memory, attention, and executive
functions.
6. What are some complica- Swelling
tions of brain contusions? Infections
name 4 Stroke
Coma and Death
Neurodegenerative Diseases
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)
,7. What is Chronic Traumatic CTE is a degenerative brain disease that progressively damages the
Encephalopathy (CTE)? brain over time. It's thought to be caused by repeated head injuries,
including concussions and nonconcussive blows, and is often found
in athletes and military veterans. CTE is incurable and permanent,
and worsens slowly, eventually leading to dementia
8. What is a diffuse axonal in- -a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI)
jury (DAI)? How is it caused -caused by blunt trauma
and what happens to the -the brain rapidly shifts within the skull, shearing the brain's nerve
brain? fibers.
-can disrupt the brain's chemical processes and communication,
leading to neurological problems, coma, long-term impairment, or
death.
9. What are some signs Loss of consciousness, Confusion and disorientation, Headache,
and symptoms of a DAI? Nausea and vomiting, Seizures, Weakness or paralysis, Persistent
Name 8. What are some headache, Cognitive problems, Motor problems, Sensory prob-
long-term effects? name 2. lems, Sleep disturbances, Mood changes, Seizures (in some cases)
Long-Term Ettects:
Permanent cognitive and motor impairments, Chronic pain, Dif-
ficulty with daily living activities, and Emotional and behavioral
problems.
, 10. What are some long term -Generally poor with significant neurological deficits
outcomes for a patient -persistent memory, attention, and decision-making issues.
with DAI? What is crucial to -Permanent cognitive and motor impairments, Chronic pain,
mitigate these effects? -Diflculty with daily living activities
-Emotional and behavioral problems
-Rehabilitation and supportive care to prevent further axonal dam-
age, but lasting brain and nervous system problems are common
11. What is a secondary brain Progressive damage resulting from the body's physiologic re-
injury? sponse to the initial insult (for example edema, hypoxia, ischemia,
and inflammation can increase ICP further damaging brain tissue)
12. How can you prevent sec- -monitoring and managing ICP
ond brain injury? (Name -optimizing cerebral perfusion pressure CPP
the basics, at least 4) -oxygenation and ventilation
-temperature management
-seizure prophylaxis
-nutritional support
-early rehab
