This interactive lecture discusses the assessment and management of patients with injuries to the brain. Annually in the United States, there are approximately 1.7 million head injuries and 1.4 million patients with head injuries treated in hospitals. Of those, approximately 100,000 are considered to have moderate to severe injuries.
After completing this course, the practitioner will be able to:
Relate the kinematics of trauma to the potential for traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Recognize the signs and symptoms associated with a TBI.
Differentiate among minor, moderate, and severe TBIs.
Incorporate the recognition of pathophysiologic manifestations and historical data significant for TBI into the assessment of the trauma patient to formulate a field impression.
Develop a plan of field intervention for both short and prolonged transport times for patients with TBI.
Compare and contrast the pathophysiology, management, and potential consequences of specific types of primary TBI and secondary brain injury.
Discuss special considerations for managing sports-related concussions and concussions in pediatric patients.
Identify criteria for patient care decisions regarding mode of transport, level of prehospital care, and hospital resources needed for the appropriate management of the TBI patient.
Explain the role of hyperventilation in the TBI patient.
Discuss current research and practices for the use of selective spinal immobilization.
Practitioners who successfully complete Central Nervous System Injury: Injuries to the Brain (ALS Edition) course are eligible for 1 hour of continuing education.
