HEAD AND

SPINAL
INJURY

dr. Retno Jayantri Ketaren, SpS

 • Students should know:
– How to check consciousness in
patients with suspected brain
injury.
Learning – What are the signs and symptoms
Objective of head and spinal injury.
– First aid steps in managing
patients with head and spinal
injury.
 Head: trauma to Spine: trauma to
scalp, skull and brain vertebrae and spinal
cord
When to suspect Brain Injury?
GCS
Check the pupils
MONROE KELLY DOCTRINE
 Unconsciousness, confusion,
dizziness, or drowsiness.

Unequal pupil size or blurred or

double vision.
Call the
emergency Blood or clear fluids coming from
the ears or nose.
immediately
if.. Is unable to move an arm or leg.

Vomiting.
 • DO NOT MOVE if the person
unconscious.
• Keep the airway open and check
breathing.
• Control severe bleeding and keep the
person from getting chilled or
While overheated.
waiting… • Do not apply direct pressure to the
bleeding site, and do not remove any
debris from the wound.
• If the person is vomiting, to prevent
choking, roll the person's head, neck,
and body as one unit onto his/her
side.
 Control Control bleeding, apply clean dressings.

Mild or
Control swelling, apply ice for 20 to 30 minutes every 2 to 4
Control hours.

Moderate Give over

For headache, give over-the-counter acetaminophen
(Paracetamol). Do not use aspirin, ibuprofen, or other anti-

Head inflammatory drugs, which can increase the risk of bleeding.

Injuries Do not
leave
Do not leave the person alone for 24 hours.

Check Check every 2 hours for alertness and new symptoms.

Spine Injury
 When to suspect Spinal Injury?

• Was involved in a motor vehicle crash or another

significant force.
• Fall from greater than 2 meters height.
• Have a head injury.
• Complains of neck or back pain or bruising in that area.
• Has tingling or weakness in the extremities.
• Older than 65 years or younger than 3 years.
If you think a person has a neck or spinal
injury, call the local emergency number.
 While waiting..

the best care you can give is to MINIMIZE

movement of the person’s head, neck and spine
 While waiting..

Do not move If the head is sharply turned to one side, do not move it.

Support Support the head and neck in the position found.

Do not If a person is wearing a helmet, do not remove it unless you are specifically
remove trained to do so and it is necessary to assess or access the person’s airway.

Keep Keep the head in line with the spine and prevent movement.
LOG ROLL
 • Head and spine injury is emergency,
call for help immediately.
Take Home • Check for consciousness and signs of
spine injury.
Messages • Immobilization.
THANK YOU