Traumatic Brain Injury

Definitions

Brain Injury– Traumatic Brain Injury– Acquired Brain Injury

Head Injury– Open Head Injury– Closed Head Injury

Causes & Population Characteristics Young, male MVA, Falls, Sports, Assaults, Other

Anatomy & Physiology

Mechanisms of Brain Injury

Coup-Contrecoup Rotational Forces Shearing/Diffuse Axonal Injury Hematoma Increased Intracranial Pressure Anoxia Seizures

Glasgow Coma Scale

Eye Opening Best Verbal Response Best Motor Response

Coma and Post-Traumatic Amnesia (PTA)

Physical Problems

Headaches Seizures Decreased Muscle Strength &

Coordination Spasticity Contractures Balance

Physical Problems Continued

Vision, Speech, Hearing, Smell, Taste Impairments

Sleep Impairment & Fatigue

Cognitive Impairments

Memory Initiation Overstimulation Perceptual Dysfunction Processing Deficits Attention & Concentration Communication Deficits Comprehension

Cognitive Impairments Continued Planning & Problem Solving Organization & Sequencing Impulsivity Judgement

Behavior Disorders

Low frustration Tolerance Emotional Lability Agitation Aggression Self-centeredness Difficulty in interpersonal interactions Anosagnosia Depression

Behavior Disorders Continued

Substance Abuse Hypersexuality & Hyposexuality

Rancho Los Amigos Levels Level 1 - No response Level 2 - Generalized Response Level 3 - Localized Response Level 4 - Confused and Agitated Level 5 - Confused, inappropriate but not agitated Level 6 - Confused but appropriate Level 7 - Automatic, appropriate Level 8 - Purposeful and Appropriate

Rehabilitation

Case Manager Physiatrist Rehabilitation Nurse Psychologist/Neuropsychologist Physical Therapist Occupational Therapist Speech Therapist Recreation Therapist

Rehabilitation Continued

Rehabilitation Counselor Others e.g. Nutritionist, Neuro-

ophthalmologist, etc.

Brain Injury Association, Inc.

biausa.org