Patient injuries / conditions
coup
A cerebral 'bruise' that occurs when the head is stationary and receives a blow; the bruise is directly below the site of the injury IE-hit from behind - brain vaults forward
HR
Heart rate
abbreviation of U
Unresponsive
TBI
Trauma brain injury
foramen magnum
The large orifice in the base of the skull through which the spinal cord passes to the cranial cavity and becomes continuous with the medulla oblongata.
cushings reflex
–Cushing’s reflex- increased BP, bradycardia
PMHX
Patient medical history
Hematoma
The abnormal buildup of blood in an organ or other tissue of the body, caused by a break in a blood vessel. A bruise is a type of hematoma. Brain with swelling could be a sign of a hematoma
RPE
Rapid physical exam
hypercarbia
the presence of an abnormally high level of carbon dioxide in the circulating blood
contrecoup
A cerebral 'bruise' that occurs when the head is stationary and receives a blow; the bruise is directly below the site of the injury IE Head on type of injury will through the brain backward causing bruise
ETOH
alcohol
decorticate
■Flexion or Decorticate posturing: upper level brainstem injury. Damage to the nerve pathway between the brain and spinal cord.
■Abnormal posturing in which a person is stiff with bent arms, clenched fists, and legs held out straight.
■The arms are bent in toward the body and the wrists and fingers are bent and held on the chest.
■This type of posturing is a sign of severe damage in the brain.
hypoxia
diminished availability of oxygen to the body tissues
axial loading
application of weight or force along the course of the long axis of the body. like hitting head at the bottom of a swimming pool
Cheyenne Stokes
Rapid breathing followed by apnea
RR
respiratory rate
decerebrate
⬜Extension or Decerebrate posturing: lower level brainstem injury. This is a worse response and usually indicates a more severe TBI.
⬜abnormal body posture that involves the arms and legs being held straight out, the toes being pointed downward, and the head and neck being arched backward.
⬜The muscles are tightened and held rigidly.
⬜This type of posturing usually means there has been severe damage to the brain.
⬜Most serious
ICP
intra cranial pressure
PPV
positive pressure ventilation
Cushings triad
increased BP, bradycardia and irregular breathing
N/V
nausea / vomiting
What type of splint can be used when multiple broken bones are present including a possible spinal injury
LSB -Long spine board
GSW
gunshot wound
basilar
●A basilar skull fracture involves the floor of the cranium.