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Head Injuries. Case Study of Allen NOTE: THERE ARE ANSWERS TO 2 CASE STUDIES HERE. I THINK YOU ONLY GOT ONE IN CLASS!!!!!. What initial measures should be taken?. Airway patency Protect cervical spine Any others?. What type of head trauma do you suspect?. Contusion Concussion
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Head Injuries Case Study of Allen NOTE: THERE ARE ANSWERS TO 2 CASE STUDIES HERE. I THINK YOU ONLY GOT ONE IN CLASS!!!!!
Airway patency • Protect cervical spine • Any others?
Contusion • Concussion • Skull fracture
Skull x-rays • CT or MRI of head • ABG’s • Cervical spine x-rays • Basic CMP and CBC
LOC • VS • Bleeding from cut • Check O2 sats • Watch for loss of clear liquid from nose or ears • Battles’s sign • Raccoon eyes
Parents decide…he is a minor • Call chaplain or counselor
Could be drug or alcohol usage • Most likely a subdural hematoma
CT of head • Drug screen • CBC, BMP, ABG’s
Glasgow coma scale • VS • LOC • Watch for drainage of wound or from ears or nose
How would the nurse determine the origin of the clear nasal drainage?
Look for halo or ring • Document color, amount and appearance • Can test liquid for glucose but not reliable
Corticosteroids • Mannitol
1. Are these blood gases acceptable? What is happening? What ventilator changes?
CO2 is high and pH is low • Increase vent rate to get rid of CO2 (hyperventilate) • What will high CO2 do?
Relationship between hyperventilation and cerebral blood flow?
Hyperventilation blows off CO2, corrects acidosis and keeps ICP down.
HOB up 30 degrees • Knees straight • Head in alignment
Battles’s sign-basilar skull fracture • Look for rhinorrhea and otorrhea • High risk for infection • May develop hematoma
ICP is 25 • BP = 90/30 • CPP?
CPP=MAP-ICP. • MAP=DBP + 1/3 (SBP-DBP) • MAP=30+ (90-30) 3
Could cause ischemia • Raise MAP and lower ICP • Check IV fluids, use of diuretics or dopamine • Surgery? • HOB and body position good?