4. INTRODUCTION
o Head injury is a general term used to describe any trauma to the head
and most specifically to the brain itself.
oMotor vehicle collisions and falls are the most common causes of
head injuries. It has a high potential for a poor outcome.
oDeaths from head trauma occur at three points after injury:
1. Immediately after the injury.
2. Within 2 hours after the injury.
3. Approximate 3 weeks after injury.
5. INTRODUCTION
oDeaths occurring 3 weeks or more after the injury results
from multisystem failure.
oThe GCS score on arrival at the hospital is also a strong
predictor of survival.
oGCS below 8 indicates a 30% – 70% chance of survival.
oGCS above 8 indicates a greater than 90% survival rate.
6. DEFINITION
oHead injury includes any injury of trauma to the brain, scalp, or
skull.
oA serious form of head injury is traumatic brain injury (TBI).
oTBI is defined as disruption of brain function resulting from a
blow or jolt to the head or penetrating head injury
oDamage to the brain from traumatic injury takes two forms:
primary injury (due to initial damage such as damage to scalp,
blood vessels, or foreign body penetration) and secondary injury
(evolve after initial damage such as cerebral edema, increase
ICP, ischemia or electrolyte disturbances)
7. MECHANISM OF HEAD INJURY
Acceleration injury: Occurs when a moving object strikes a non-
moving object. E.g., a missile fired into a head
Deceleration injury: Occurs when a moving head strikes a stationary
object such as in a fall
Acceleration – deceleration injury: It results from unrestricted and
sudden head movement. E.g., a motor vehicle suddenly decelerates
wand the head hit an immobile object such as the steering wheel.
Penetration injury: Occurs when an object enters the skull and
harms the brain
8. MECHANISM OF HEAD INJURY
Whiplash injury: A neck injury that can occur when the head
suddenly moves backward and then forward
9. MECHANISM OF HEAD INJURY
Rotational injury: Occurs when forces cause the brain to twist
within the skull and can cause injury to the nerve fibers in the brain
Rotational acceleration-deceleration injury: Brain is twisted inside
the skull which results in torsion and shearing of axons and possible
vascular disruption
Deformation injury: Results from the direct or indirect transmission
of energy to the skull. If the force is sufficient, the part is deformed
and fracture (skull fracture)
10. MECHANISM OF HEAD INJURY
Coup-countercoup injury:
• After the head strikes the wall, a coup injury
occurs as the brain strikes the skull
(primary impact).
•The countercoup injury (secondary impact) occurs
when the brain strike the skull surface opposite the
site of the original impact
11. CLASSIFICATION
According to GCS head injury is classified into:
1. MILD : GCS 13-15 with LOC to 15 minutes.
2. MODERATE : GCS 9-10 with LOC for up to 6
hours.
3. SEVERE : GCS 3-8 with LOC greater than 6
hours.
12. TYPES OF HEAD INJURY
1.Scalp
lacerations
2. Skull fracture 5. Brain injury
4. Closed
3. Open
a. Linear
b. Depressed
e. Compound
d. Comminuted
c. Simple
a. Diffused
Axonal injury
c. Focal injury
b. Diffused
injury
21. TYPES
5. Brain injury:
a. Diffuse axonal injury (DAI)
• Widespread axonal damage
or shearing of axons
resulting in axonal
disconnection
22. TYPES
b. Diffuse injury:
• Concussion: A sudden transient mechanical head injury
with disruption of neural activity and change in
the LOC, considered as minor injury
• Signs include a brief disruption in LOC,
retrograde amnesia and headache
• Postconcussion syndrome include persistent
headache, lethargy, personality and behavioural
changes, shortened attention span and short-
term memory loss
23. TYPES
c. Focal injury:
• Contusion: A bruising of the brain tissue within
a focal area associated with head injury
• May contain areas of haemorrhage, infarction,
necrosis and edema and it frequently occur at a
fracture site
• Seizures are a common complication of brain
contusion especially in the first 7 days after injury
• With contusion a phenomenon of coup-counter-
coup phenomenon is noted
24. RISK FACTORS
oColour blindness
oAlcohol addiction
oVertigo
oChildren up to 4 years old
oYoung adult between 15 to 24 years
oAdult age 60 and above
oMilitary personnel
oMales
26. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF TBI
Due to etiological factors
Brain swelling or bleeding, increases intracranial
volume
ICP continues to rise. Brain may herniate
Pressure on blood vessels within the brain causes
blood flow to the brain to slow
Brain suffers traumatic injury
Rigid cranium allows no room for expansion of
contents so ICP increases
Ischemia and cerebral hypoxia occur
Interruption in cerebral blood flow
28. CLINICAL MANIFESTATION
Altered or absent cough or gag reflex
Agitation, restlessness and dizziness
Nausea and vomiting
Changes in behaviour such as irritability or confusion
Changes in vitals : tachycardia, tachypnea
Sensory, visual or hearing impairment
Hemiparesis
29. CLINICAL MANIFESTATION
Memory or concentration problems
Problems with speech
Increase mood swing
Lethargy
Difficulty in sleeping
Pupillary abnormalities
33. MANIFESTATION OF SKULL
FRACTURES
Poterior fossa fracture:
Visual field defects
Occipital bruising resulting in cortical blindness
Basilar skull fracture:
CSF or brain otorrhoea
Bulging of tympanic membrane
Battle’s sign
Tinnitus
Vertigo
Facial paralysis
34. METHODS TO DETERMINE CSF
LEAKAGE
1. Using dextrostix
oTo determine whether glucose is present
oIf blood is present in the fluid, testing for glucose is unreliable since blood
also contain glucose
2. Halo or ring sign
oAllow the leakage fluid to drip into a white gauze and then observe the
drainage
oWithin few minutes the blood coalesces into the centre and yellowish ring
encircle the blood if CSF is present
oNote the colour, appearance and amount of leaking fluid
35. DIAGNOSTIC EVALUATION
1. History collection, physical and neurological examination
•Complete history collection
•Complete physical examination – racoon eyes, signs of skull
fractures, battle’s sign, CSF rhinorrhoea and otorrhoea
•Neurological examination – mental status,
cranial nerve function, motor function,
sensory function, reflexes, pupil size and
response, GCS
36.
37. DIAGNOSTIC EVALUATION
2. CT SCAN: Create a detailed view of the brain. Visualize fractures,
bleeding, blood clot, tissue swelling, bruise tissue
3. MRI: Can detect small lesions
4. PET SCAN: To reveal the metabolic and chemical function of the
brain
5. Transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasound: To determine cerebral
blood flow, blood velocity, to assess cerebral vasospasm
6. X-ray of skull and cervical spine
38. MANAGEMENT
INITIAL MANAGEMENT
Ensure patient airway
Stabilize cervical spine
Administer O2 if required
Establish IV to infuse normal saline or lactated ringer’s solution
Intubate if GCS is <8
Control external bleeding with sterile pressure dressing
Remove patient’s clothing
39. MANAGEMENT
MEDICAL MANAGEMENT
Antiepileptic: To prevent seizure, e.g., Phenytoin, 10-15
mg/kg IV, Levipil, 500 mg IV
Osmotic diuretics: To prevent increase ICP, e.g., Mannitol
25%, 1.5 – 2 g/kg IV infused over 30-60 minutes.
Antipyretics/Analgesics: To treat fever and relieve pain,
e.g., Paracetamol, 1g IV.
40. MANAGEMENT
Calcium channel blockers: To maintain blood pressure and
to prevent exacerbation of intracranial haemorrhage in
hypertensive encephalopathy, e.g., Nicardipine, 20mg q8hrly
orally or 0.5 mg/hr IV
Tetanus prophylaxis: To prevent tetanus infection, e.g., Inj.
TT, 0.5 ml, IM.
Antibiotic: It is required to prevent infection with open
skull injuries and penetrating wound. It is usually not
required in closed head injury.
41. MANAGEMENT
SURGICAL MANAGEMENT
Craniotomy:
A bone flap is removed to exposed the cranium and dura mater to drain blood or relieve
increased ICP, remove free fragments, repair damaged area, and elevated depressed bone
Craniectomy:
Removal of bone flap or fragments if large amount of bones are destroyed
Burr hole:
Opening into the cranium with a drill to remove fluid and blood collection beneath the dura
Cranioplasty:
Repair of cranial defect. Artificial materials are used to replace damaged or lost bone
42. MANAGEMENT
SELF CARE MANAGEMENT
Bleeding under the scalp but outside the skull create “goose egg” or
large bruises at the site of a head injury, these will go away on their
own. Using ice immediately after the trauma may help decrease their
size
Do not apply ice directly on the skin instead use a washcloth as a
barrier and wrap the ice pack
Ice should be applied for 20-30 minutes at a time and can be
repeated about 2-4 hours as needed. There is little benefit after 24
hours
43. LIST OF NURSING DIAGNOSIS
1. Fluid volume deficit related to loss of fluid via bleeding
2. Impaired physical mobility related to decrease LOC, fatigue or fracture
3. Hyperthermia related to infection and hypothalamic injury
4. Anxiety related to change in health status, hospital environment and outcome of
disease
5. Risk for ineffective cerebral tissue perfusion related to interruption of CBF associated
with haemorrhage, hematoma and edema
6. Risk for potential complication: increased ICP related to cerebral edema and
haemorrhage
7. Risk for secondary injury related to decrease level of consciousness
44. NURSING MANAGEMENT/INTERVENTION
Assess for CSF leakage. Monitor vitals
Administer fluids cautiously to prevent fluid overload and increase ICP
Maintain the position and patency of ET tube if present, to maintain O2 saturation
Provide suctioning
Keep the head of the bed elevated about 30 degree to decrease or maintain intracranial pressure
Allow rest between nursing activities to avoid increase in ICP
Provide mouth, skin and eye care to prevent tissue damage
Change the position q2hrly to prevent pressure ulcer
45. COMPLICATIONS
1. Epidural haematoma: Results from bleeding between the dura mater and the inner surface of
the skull
2. Subdural haematoma: Results from bleeding between the dura mater and the subarachnoid
layer
a) Acute: 24-48 hours after severe injury
b) Sub-acute: 48 hrs – 2 weeks after severe trauma
c) Chronic: weeks or months, usually >20 days after injury
3. Sub-arachnoid haematoma: Results from bleeding between the arachnoid and pia mater
4. Intracerebral haematoma: Result from bleeding within the brain tissue in approximately 16%
of head injuries. May be intra-parenchymal or intraventricular
5. Others: Coma, post-traumatic memory loss, chronic headache, loss/change in sensation, taste,
vision, smell and hearing, paralysis, seizures, speech and language problems and death
47. DEFINITION
oUnconscious means that the person is not aware of what is going on
around him and is unable to make purposeful movement and respond
meaningfully to external stimuli.
oUnconscious patient is completely dependent on others for all of his
needs.
oUnconsciousness is a symptom rather than a disease.
oDegrees of unconsciousness vary in length and severity:
Brief – Fainting
Prolonged – Coma (deepest state of unconsciousness)
48. MANAGEMENT
GENERAL NURSING CONSIDERATIONS
Always assume that the patient can hear even though he make no response
Always address the patient by name and tell him what we are going to do
Keep patient’s room at a comfortable temperature
Keep side rails up to protect the patient from injury
If restrain is needed, use “mitten” to avoid skin irritation
Regularly observe and record patient’s vitals and level of consciousness
Report if any changes in vitals
Note return of protective reflexes such as blinking the eyelids or swallowing saliva
49. Cont.
AIRWAY AND BREATHING
Maintain a patent airway by proper positioning of the patient. Whenever
possible position the patient on his side (lateral recumbent) with the chin
extended, this prevent the tongue from obstructing the airway
Reposition the patient from side to side to prevent pooling of mucous and
secretion in lungs
Suction the mouth, pharynx and trachea as often as necessary to prevent
aspiration of secretions
Administered oxygen as ordered
50. Cont.
NUTRITIONAL NEEDS
Always observe patient carefully when administering anything by gavage
Do not leave the patient unattended
Keep accurate records of all intake ( feeding formula, water, liquid, medication)
Always place the patient in fowler’s position and support with pillows while
feeding
Since fluids are maintained by IV, keep record of intake and output
Observe patient for signs of dehydration or fluid overload
51. Cont.
EYE CARE
Observe for signs of irritation, corneal drying, abrasion and edema
Gentle cleaning with gauze with 0.9% sodium chloride to prevent
infection
Artificial tears drop can also be used to help moisten the eyes
MOUTH CARE
Provide mouth care daily using chlorhexidine solution
Apply petroleum jelly to lips to prevent drying
52. Cont.
SKIN CARE
Bed bath should be provided to prevent dry skin, paying special
attention to folds and perineal area. Hair care should not be neglected
The skin should be lubricated with moisturizing lotion after bath
Nails should be kept short and clean
Gently massage the skin to improve circulation
53. Cont.
ELIMINATION
Assess for diarrhoea, constipation and bladder distention
Keep accurate record of bowel and bladder elimination
A liquid stool softener may ne ordered by the physician to prevent constipation
or impaction
If enemas are ordered, use proper technique to ensure effective administration
The bladder should be emptied to prevent infection
Report low urine output
Provide catheter care for catheterized patients to prevent infection
54. Cont.
POSITIONING
When positioning an unconscious patient, pay particular attention to maintain
proper body alignment
Limbs must be supported, do not allow flaccid limbs to rest unsupported
Change the position q2hrly
Utilize a foot board at the end of the bed to decrease the possibility of foot drop
ROM exercises should be performed to avoid contractures