HEAD INJURY

WHAT IS HEAD INJURY?

Is

a trauma to the skull resulting in mild to extensive damage to the brain.

What are the Causes?

Fall

Driving

accidents (motor /vehicle crashes? Gun shots(penetrating head injury)

What are the signs & symptoms?

vomiting, difficulty

tolerating bright lights, leaking CSF from the ear or nose, bleeding from the ear , speech difficulty, paralysis, difficulty swallowing, and numbness of the body. nausea, dizziness, irritability, difficulty concentrating and thinking, and amnesia.

WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS?

Cerebral

bleeding Hematomas Uncontrolled increase of ICP Infections Seizures Personality & Behaviour changes

Subarachnoid hemorrhage

WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF HEAD INJURIES?

1.

2.

Open Closed

Scalp laceration

Fracture in the skull

Scalp laceration

-Thick

subarachnoid hemorrhage more in the Left frontoparietal sulci -Contusion hematoma at Left frontal Lobe and Left Temporal lobe

WHAT ARE THE INTERVENTIONS NEEDED?

Monitor respiratory status and maintain patent airway 2. Monitor neurological status V/S particularly the temperature 3. Maintain head elevation 4. Monitor for pain and restlessness 5. Avoid Morphine sulfate
1.

6. Monitor for drainage *what will you do if you note for drainage? 7. Instruct client to avoid coughing. *why?

*What is the surgical procedure that could be done for head injured patients?

-CRANIOTOMY

POST-OPERATIVE CARE MANAGEMENT

Monitor

V/S and neurological status. Monitor for increase ICP. Provide a quite environment. Monitor the dressing frequently for signs of drainage Record strict measurement of hourly I&O