Which should you do when caring for a victim of a head injury?

Which should you do when caring for a victim of a head injury?

Apply firm pressure to the wound with sterile gauze or a clean cloth. But don’t apply direct pressure to the wound if you suspect a skull fracture. Watch for changes in breathing and alertness. If the person shows no signs of circulation — no breathing, coughing or movement — begin CPR.

Why does someone with a brain injury need monitoring in the hours after the injury?

Such bleeding in your brain can be fatal. That’s why anyone who experiences a brain injury needs monitoring in the hours afterward and emergency care if symptoms worsen.

What is the protocol for concussion?

It’s recommended that individuals with a concussion have a 1-2 day period of rest followed by progressive increases in activity. This return to activity should always be monitored by a trained healthcare provider. Most providers will try to see their patients 24-72 hours after the injury to assess their functioning.

What is the management of head injury?

Mild traumatic brain injuries usually require no treatment other than rest and over-the-counter pain relievers to treat a headache. However, a person with a mild traumatic brain injury usually needs to be monitored closely at home for any persistent, worsening or new symptoms.

Which fluid should not be given in head injury?

Hypotonic, low sodium and dextrose-containing fluids should be avoided. 0.9% normal saline (NS) or even 3% NS should be considered if a crystalloid is chosen.

What are Lateralizing signs in head injury?

Beyond the GCS, lateralizing signs should be sought out by noting the following: • Pupil size; • Symmetry and reaction to light; • Movement in all four limbs; • Deep tendon reflexes; and • Plantar responses.

What are signs of lateralization?

Ictal pallor and cold shivers are dominant hemispheric lateralization signs. Postictal unilateral nose wiping refers to the ipsilateral hemispheric focus compared to the wiping hand. Ictal or postictal aphasia refers to seizure arising from dominant hemisphere.

How do you assess a head injury?

Assessment of the head injury patient should include airway, cervical spine protection, breathing, circulation, and haemorrhage control followed by the GCS. The GCS score should be used in the assessment of all patients with head injury by trained healthcare providers.

What should you assess after head injury?

Following head injury, CT scanning of the head is the primary imaging modality of choice. CT scanning will quickly identify critical pathology such as skull fractures and traumatic intra-cranial bleeding that may require urgent neurosurgical intervention.

How many hours should I observe after head injury?

In studies, some children with vomiting, headache, or a brief loss of consciousness (without other symptoms) have a traumatic brain injury while others do not. In these cases, one reasonable strategy is to observe the child closely for four to six hours after the injury, usually in the emergency department.