Chapter 68 - Preventing Head and Spinal Cord Injuries

Brunner and Suddarth Chapter 68 

Reading: Head injuries and brain injury, pp 2033-2048 

Charts/Tables/Figures

· Chart 68-1, Preventing Head and Spinal Cord Injuries

· Figure 68-1, Patho

· Figure 68-3, Types of bleeds

· Chart 68-2, Glasgow Coma Scale

· Table 68-1, Assessment

· Chart 68-5, Controlling ICP

· Chart 68-6, Home care for patient with TBI

Learning Objective #1: Use the nursing process as a framework for the care of patients with traumatic brain injury.

a. Compare and contrast the location, pathophysiology, symptoms, time frames, and treatment of epidural hematoma; acute, subacute, and chronic subdural hematoma; and intracerebral hemorrhage.

b. Explain the assessment of patients with brain injury, including the use of the Glasgow Coma Scale.

c. List specific nursing diagnoses common to patients with brain injury.

d. What are the collaborative problems, planning considerations, and goals for patients with brain injury? 

e. What are the specific nursing interventions for patients with brain injury, including interventions for agitated patients and measures to prevent increased ICP?