ATLS Written Review LATEST & VERIFIED 2023 Graded A+
What is the primary goal of treating TBI? How is this done? Correct ans - preventing
... [Show More] secondary brain injury. This is done by maintaining blood pressure and providing adequate profusion.
After managing ABCDEs of TBI what MUST be identified if present? How is this done? Correct ans - mass lesion that requires surgical evacuation is critical! this is done with CT. NOTE: obtaining a CT should not delay patient transfer to trauma center.
Which brain lobes do the following hold:
1. anterior fossa:
2. middle fossa:
3. posterior fossa: Correct ans - 1. anterior fossa: frontal lobes
2. middle fossa: temporal lobes
3. posterior fossa: lower brainstem and cerebellum
What are the 3 layers of the meninges? Correct ans - dura mater, arachnoid mater, pia mater
What does the dura mater adhere firmly to? Correct ans - the skull. it is tough and fibrous
What layer of the meninges splits into two leaves as specific sites to enclose large venous sinuses? What do these sinuses do? Correct ans - dura mater.
these sinuses provide major venous drainage from the brain.
What is the midline sinus of of the brain that splits into two sinuses: bilateral transverse and sigmoid sinus? What side are these bigger on? Correct ans - The main sinus enclosed by the dura major is the midline superior sagital sinus. This splits into the sigmoid and bilateral transverse sinuses which are larger on the right side.
What are the arteries that lie between the skull and the dura mater (epidural space)? Correct ans - meningeal arteries.
What is the most commonly injured meningeal artery and where is it located? Correct ans - middle meningeal artery.
Located over the temporal fossa
T/F: the arachnoid mater is fused to the dura mater? Correct ans - FALSE: not attached. This produces a potential space for a subdural hematoma
In a subdural hematoma, what is the cause? Correct ans - injury to bridging veins that extend from brain surface to the sinuses within the dura.
_______ fills the space between the arachnoid and pia mater? Correct ans - CSF. this cushions the brain and spinal cord.
What location of brain hemorrhage is frequently seen in brain contusion or injury to major blood vessels at base of brain? Correct ans - subarachnoid.
The ____ and _____ contain the reticular activating system which is responsible for ____. Correct ans - midbrain and upper pons
state of alertness
What important function resides in the medulla? Correct ans - cardiorespiratory centers.
What important functions are in the following brain segments:
1. left hemisphere:
2. frontal lobe:
3. parietal lobe:
4. temporal: Correct ans - 1. left hemisphere: language center
2. frontal lobe: executive function, emotions, motor
3. parietal lobe: sensory function/spatial orientation
4. temporal: memory functions
What divides the brain into supratentorial and infratentorial compartments? Correct ans - tentorium cerebelli. (tent over cerebellum)
What is the physiology behind a blown pupil? Correct ans - blown pupil: dilation of pupil
-CN III runs along the tentorium cerebelli. parasympathetic fibers that constrict the pupil run along CN III (oculomotor). When temporal lobe is herniated, it can compress these fibers. Unapposed sympathetic activity causes pupillary dilation.
What is the tentorial notch/hiatus Correct ans - this is where the midbrain passes through into the infratentorial compartment.
what part of the brain most commonly herniates through the tentorial notch? Correct ans - Uncus (medial part of temporal lobe)
does weakness occur on the same or opposite side of the uncal herniation? Correct ans - OPPOSITE. the corticospinal tract of the midbrain is compressed and then crosses at the foramen magnum.
state: Ipsilateral/contralateral
____ pupillary dilation associated with _____ hemiparesis is the classic sign of uncial herniation. Correct ans - ipsi
contra
average ICP is _____ mmHg. Correct ans - 10
The monro-kellie doctrine states that the total volume of intracranial contents must remain constant, because the cranium is ___ Correct ans - a rigid, non expandable container.
The monro-kellie doctrine states that _____ and _____ may be compressed out of the skull providing a degree of buffering. Correct ans - CSF and venous blood.
Once the CSF and venous blood reach a certain level of displacement the ICP rapidly increases.
What is the equation for CPP (cerebral perfusion pressure)? Correct ans - CPP=MAP-ICP
in TBI, Every effort should be made to reduce ______, while normalizing ____, ___, and _____. Correct ans - ICP
MAP, oxygenation, intravascular volume
What GCS ranges for the following classes:
1. Minor
2. Moderate
3. Severe Correct ans - 1. 13-15
2. 9-12
3. 3-8
What nerve palsy may occur with basilar skull fracture? Correct ans - seventh nerve.
A GCS of ___ is accepted definition of coma? Correct ans - 8 or less
How do you assess a GCS of someone with asymmetric responses? Correct ans - Use the best possible because this will be the best predictor of outcome
Basilar fractures of the skull usually require what type of imaging? Correct ans - this requires CT with bone-window setting.
What are the typical clinical signs of basilar skull fractures? Correct ans - 1.periorbital ecchymosis (raccoon eyes)
2. retroauriculor ecchymosis (battle sign)
3. CSF leak from nose or ears
4. 7th or 8th CN dysfunction (facial paralysis and hearing loss)
What should be a primary consideration for any patient with a skull fracture, especially a linear skull fracture? Correct ans - hematoma. linear skull fracture increases likelihood of intracranial hematoma by about 400x
What mechanism is common with diffuse axonal injury and what is the likely outcome? Correct ans - these injury often occur with high velocity or deceleration injures. They appear as diffuse cerebral hemorrhage often between grey and white matter. These are associated with variable but often poor outcomes.
Epidural hematomas often occur in the _____ area of the skull and result from a tear of the _______ arteries. Correct ans - temporal
middle meningeal artery
What is the classic presentation of a epidural hematoma? Correct ans - a lucid interval between time of injury and neurologic a deterioration. [Show Less]