1.Head Injuries Sarah Sharpe

2. Head Injury

A head injury is any trauma resulting in injury to the scalp, skull or brain.

A head injury is particularly dangerous as, at first the injury may appear only minor however major internal injuries have occurred.

A victim with a suspected head injury should be monitored for a number of days after the incident

There are five main types of head injuries:

Lacerations

Concussion

Contusions

Haemorrhage

Compression

Skull Fracture

3. What are Lacerations

A laceration is a tear in the

skin as a result of an injury.

In the case of visible bones

or tendons, or excessive

bleeding or pain, the casualty should be seen to by a doctor

4. Symptoms of Lacerations

Bleeding

Pain

Numbness

Swelling of Injured

Skin

5. Treating Lacerations

Conduct Primary Survey (DRABC)

If symptoms appear serious, an ambulance should be called immediately

Place a dry, sterile dressing onto wound and apply direct pressure.If skull fracture is suspected, minimise pressure.

If injury has resulted in an attached flap of skin

(avulsion), using clean water gently flush the

area, fold flap back over laceration and apply

dressing with pressure

Use a roller gauze to secure dressings to the

head.Do not remove dressings

Casualty should be monitored for the next couple of days

6. What is a concussion?

A concussion is a temporary change in the way the brain works when it is suddenly moved or jarred, it occurs when the brain suddenly shifts inside the skull and knocks against the skulls bony surface.

Concussions can last from a few moments, to an unconscious state for over 3 minutes.

7. Symptoms of a Concussion

Amnesia, short term memory loss

Nausea, vomiting

Headache

Blurred Vision

Confusion

Ringing in Ears

Neck Pain

Dizziness

Unconsciousness

Irritability

Convulsions

8. Treating a Concussion

Conduct Primary Survey (DRABC)

Determine the severity or grade of the concussion.

• Grade 1 conscious, symptoms last under 15 minutes

• Grade 2 conscious, symptoms last over 15 minutes

• Grade 3 - unconscious

Call an ambulance immediately, lay casualty down with head and shoulders slightly raised, try to keep them awake and talking.If casualty falls unconscious and is not breathing, commence CPR and monitor vital signsSeek professional medical assistance, lay the casualty down with the head and shoulders slightly raised. Try to keep casualty awake and talkingAllow casualty to rest, however continually monitor in case their condition changes.Lay casualty down with their head and shoulders slightly raised Grade 3 Grade 2 Grade 1 9. What is a Cerebral Contusion

A contusion is a bruise to the brain tissue which occurs when a number of small blood vessels leak into brain tissue.

Contusions occur

when the brain

strikes a ridge in

the skull, when the

head moves

suddenly or hits a solid object with great force.

10. Symptoms of a Contusion

Severe Headache

Dizziness

Nausea / Vomiting

Dilated Pupil

Weakness of limbs

Restless, irritable

Memory Loss

Confusion

Drowsiness

Unconsciousness

11. Treating a Contusion

Conduct Primary Survey (DRABC)

Seek medical assistance, if symptoms indicate severe head trauma, call ambulance immediately

Monitor casualtys level of

consciousness

Encourage the casualty to

stay awake and talk,

reassure them

If casualty falls unconscious

and breathing ceases, commence

CPR until further help arrives

Bilateral Cerebral Contusions 12. What is a Haemorrhage

A brain or subarachnoid haemorrhage occurs when blood leaks out of the blood vessels and onto the surface of the brain.The blood then damages the brain tissue which, along with the blood loss, can cause serious and potentially life threatening brain damage

13. Symptoms of a Haemorrhage

Sudden and Severe headache

Nausea / vomiting

Unconsciousness

Seizure

Paralysis

Preserved brain with haemorrhage 14. Treating a Haemorrhage

Conduct primary survey (DRABC)

Call an ambulance immediately

Monitor level of consciousness

If casualty falls unconscious, commence CPR and continue until further help arrives

If casualty has a seizure, clear them of any dangers and position them on the ground in a comfortable position and wait for seizure to end.Once ended, roll casualty into recovery position

Monitor Vital signs until ambulance arrives

15. What is a Cerebral Compression

A cerebral compression involves a build up of pressure on the brain and can be life threatening, most often requiring surgery.Cerebral compression occurs when there is an accumulation of blood within the skull or injured brain tissue swells

16. Symptoms of a cerebral compression

Recent head injury

Headache

Noisy, slow breathing

Slow pulse

Unequal pupil size

Weakness of paralysis down one side of body

High temperature

Drowsiness

Change in behaviour

Disorientation

Unconsciousness

17. Treating a cerebral compression

Conduct Primary Survey (DRABC)

Call for an ambulance

If conscious, rest casualty in comfortable position, reassure them and monitor vital signs until help arrives

If unconscious and not breathing, commence CPR and continue until help arrives. If breathing, ensure airway is open.

18. What is a Skull Fracture

A skull fracture occurs after a head injury and can be life threatening as the fractured bone may cause damage to the brain.

19. Symptoms of a Skull Fracture

Wound of Bruise on head

Depression on scalp

Altered level of response

Distortion of face

Blood in the eye

Clear fluid discharge from nose or ear

Bruising around eyes

Bruising or swelling behind an ear

20. Treating a Skull Fracture

Conduct Primary Survey (DRABC)

Call an ambulance

If conscious, allow casualty to lie down, stabilise head and neck, control any bleeding by applying dressing with pressure, in case of discharge cover ear but do not plug, monitor vital signs

If unconscious and not breathing, commence CPR and continue until further help arrives.If breathing ensure airway remains open.Monitor vital signs

21. Bibliography

Health First (2002) Concussion (online)http://www.healthfirst.net.au/content/view/242/42/Retrieved 29-8-08

Brain Foundation (2003) Concussion (online)http://www.brainaustralia.org.au/AZ_of_Brain_Disorders/concussion Retrieved 29/8/08

Medical Encyclopaedia (2008) Head Injury (online)http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000028.htm Retrieved 29/8/08

Texas Pediatric Surgical Associates (no date) Lacerations (online)http://www.pedisurg.com/PtEduc/Lacerations.htm Retrieved 29/8/08

Health Encyclopedia (2007) Concussion (online)http://www.faqs.org/health/Sick-V1/Concussion.html Retrieved 29/8/08

Health Care Clinic (no date) Cerebral Contusion (online)http://www.health-care-clinic.org/diseases/cerebral-contusion.htm Retrieved 29/8/08

Brain and Spine Foundation (2005) sub-arachnoid haemorrhage (online)http://www.brainandspine.org.uk/information/publications/brain_and_spine_booklets/subarachnoid_haemorrhage/symptoms.html Retrieved 29/8/08