| Head Injuries and Conditions |
| Medical Term Common Term Mechanisms Symptoms Signs Special Tests Referral/Diagnostic Procedure Classification of Injury Management Comment |
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| Medical Term Common Term Mechanisms Symptoms Signs Special Tests Referral/Diagnostic Procedure Classification of Injury Management Comment |
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| Medical Term Common Term Mechanisms Symptoms Signs Special Tests Referral/Diagnostic Procedure Classification of Injury Management Comment |
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| Mild cerebral concussion Concussion Direct or indirect trauma to the head Slight mental confusion Possibly some slight memory loss Mild Tinnitus Mild dizziness Mild headache Pain in the area of the trauma Normal pupil reaction Normal balance No loss of consciousness Level of consciousness Questions for memory test Pupil reaction test Check for positive Romberg’s sign Cranial nerve assessment for return to activity Refer to physician if symptoms/signs persist Mild concussion |
| Moderate cerebral concussion Concussion Direct or indirect trauma to the head Momentary mental confusion Post traumatic memory loss Moderate Tinnitus Moderate dizziness Moderate headache Normal pupil reaction Moderate balance disturbance Possible retrograde amnesia Possible nausea and vomiting No longer than five minutes of unconsciousness Level of consciousness Questions for memory test Pupil reaction test Check for positive Romberg’s signCranial nerve assessment for return to activity Refer to physician before returning to activity Moderate concussion |
| Severe concussion Concussion Direct or indirect trauma to the head Mental confusion lasting five minutes or more Severe Tinnitus Severe dizziness Severe headache Abnormal pupil reaction Marked unsteadiness Prolonged retrograde amnesia and Anterograde amnesia Unconsciousness lasting for five minutes or longer Possible increase in blood pressure and decrease in pulse rate Level of consciousness Questions for memory test Pupil reaction test Cranial nerve assessment Monitor pulse, blood pressure and respiration Refer to physician – Medical emergency Severe concussion |
| Medical Term Common Term Mechanisms Symptoms Signs Special Tests Referral/Diagnostic Procedure Classification of Injury Management Comment |
| Postconcussion syndrome Same as above Due to previous trauma to the head Recurring headache Irritability Loss of concentration Irritability Loss of concentration Not applicable Refer to a neurologist Not applicable |
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| Medical Term Common Term Mechanisms Symptoms Signs Special Tests Referral/Diagnostic Procedure Classification of Injury Management Comment |
| Chronic Subdural Intracranial Hematoma Same as above Coutrecoup injury Tearing veins that bridge the dura mater to the brain Increasing headaches daily Vomiting Behavior change Periodic drowsiness Post-concussion syndrome evident Perform a pupil reaction test Monitor pulse, blood pressure, and respiration Refer to a physician – Medical emergency Not applicable |
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| Medical Term Common Term Mechanisms Symptoms Signs Special Tests Referral/Diagnostic Procedure Classification of Injury Management Comment |
| Epidural / Intracranial Hematoma Same as above Direct or indirect trauma to the head Tearing the arteries in the dural membrane Headache A short period of unconsciousness Some dizziness Vomiting Dilation of the pupil on the same side as the hematoma Muscle weakness on the side opposite the hematoma Perform a pupil reaction test Monitor pulse, blood pressure, and respiration Refer to a physician – Medical Emergency Not applicable |
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| Medical Term Common Term Mechanisms Symptoms Signs Special Tests Referral/Diagnostic Procedure Classification of Injury Management Comment |
| Intracerebral / Intracranial Hematoma Same as above A sudden, forceful impact to the skull causing blood vessel damage and hemorrhaging Headache Rapid deterioration of neurological function Confusion Amnesia Perform a pupil reaction test Monitor pulse, blood pressure, and respiration Refer to a physician – Medical Emergency Not applicable |
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| Medical Term Common Term Mechanisms Symptoms Signs Special Tests Referral/Diagnostic Procedure Classification of Injury Management Comment |
| Subarachnoid intracranial hematoma Same as above Sudden bleeding in the Subarachnoid space due to aneurysm Severe headache Dizziness Syncope Vomiting Changes in pulse and respiration rates Perform a pupil reaction test Monitor pulse, blood pressure and respiration Refer to a physician Not applicable |
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| Medical Term Common Term Mechanisms Symptoms Signs Special Tests Referral/Diagnostic Procedure Classification of Injury Management Comment |
| Acute Subdural intracranial hematoma Same as above Coutrecoup injury veins that bridge the dura mater to the brain Increasing headache Unconsciousness Dilated pupils on the affected side Diminished pulse rate Vomiting Dyspnea Increased blood pressure Perform pupil reaction test Monitor pulse and blood pressure Refer to a physician – Medical Emergency Not appicable |
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| Medical Term Common Term Mechanisms Symptoms Signs Special Tests Referral/Diagnostic Procedure Classification of Injury Management Comment |
| Migraine headache Same as above May be caused by repeated minor trauma to the head Possible vascular disorder Nutritional causes, or stress All the causes of migraine headache are not fully known Hemianopia Seeing flashes of light Severe headache Nausea Vomiting Not applicable Refer to a physician Not applicable |