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Head Injuries

Pakistan

ICITAP

Learning Objectives Recognize different types of head injuries

Learn about different types of brain injuries

Identify signs and symptoms of head and brain injuries

Learn proper first aid for various head and brain injuries

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Introduction

As Police Officers, you will be exposed to head injuries resulting from accidents, combat and blast injuries

The victim of a head injury must be treated at a medical facility as soon as possible

A knowledge of First Aid can often mean the difference between life and death

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A head injury is any trauma that leads to injury of the scalp, skull, or brain

These injuries may bleed profusely, and can be either minor or serious

Head injury is classified as either closed or open (penetrating)

Head Injuries

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Minor or serious injury?

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Brain injuriesThere are 2 main types of brain injuries, including:

Concussion, the most common type of traumatic brain injury, in which the brain is shaken

Contusion, which is a bruise on the brain

May occur due to clot or hemorrhage

Can cause altered mental status

Signs and symptoms similar to traumatic injury (but no trauma)

Injuries to brain cause internal bleeding and increased pressure in the cranium

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Traumatic brain injury

Caused by external trauma

Examples include bullets, shrapnel or strike from a blunt object

Can cause altered mental status

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Levels of Responsiveness Alert (awake/oriented)

Verbal (responds to someone talking)

Painful (responds to inflicted pain like hard pinch or rub)

Unresponsive (no reaction to any stimulus)

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Blunt Trauma

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Head Injury

Signs and Symptoms:

Altered or decreased mental status

Irregular breathing patterns

Mechanism of injury present

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Head Injury

Signs and Symptoms:

Contusions, lacerations, or hematomas

Deformity of skull

Blood/fluid (either clear, slight yellow tinge or red with large clumps of cerebral or spinal fluid) from ears or nose

Bruising around eyes, behind ears

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Raccoon Eyes

Skull Fracture

Battle Signs

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Head Injury

Signs and Symptoms:

Neurologic disability

Nausea and/or vomiting

Unequal pupil size with altered mental status

Seizures

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Unequal pupil size

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Head Injury

Treatment:

Body substance isolation

Airway, ventilation, oxygen

Initial assessment with C-spine stabilization

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Head Injury

Treatment:

Complete assessment

Immobilize spine

Monitor airway, breathing, pulse, mental status closely

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Head Injury

Treatment:

Control bleeding

Do not apply pressure to open or depressed skull injury

Dress and bandage wound

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Head Injury

Treatment:

Be prepared for changes in patient condition

Transport immediately

Monitor vital signs every 5 minutes until medical help arrives

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Questions?

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Class Practical Exercise

Practice some of the skills shared in this presentation