Student presentation for PDHPE class.
- 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:
3. What are Lacerations
- A laceration is a tear in the
- skin as a result of an injury.
- In the case of visible bones
- bleeding or pain, the casualty should be seen to by a
doctor
4. Symptoms of Lacerations
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
- 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
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
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.
- suddenly or hits a solid object with great force.
10. Symptoms of a Contusion
11. Treating a Contusion
- Conduct Primary Survey (DRABC)
- Seek medical assistance, if symptoms indicate severe head
trauma, call ambulance immediately
- Monitor casualtys level of
- Encourage the casualty to
- 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
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
- Weakness of paralysis down one side of body
17. Treating a cerebral compression
- Conduct Primary Survey (DRABC)
- 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
- Altered level of response
- Clear fluid discharge from nose or ear
- Bruising or swelling behind an ear
20. Treating a Skull Fracture
- Conduct Primary Survey (DRABC)
- 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