Learning Guide

							                                 Learning Guide
                  Module 11: Traumatic Brain Injury & Brain Tumors

                          Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

 1.     What are the factors that predict poor outcome post TBI?


 2.     Describe how coup-contrecoup causes injury to the brain.


 3.     Why is a closed head injury potentially more lethal than an open?


 4.     What happens when a basilar skull fracture occurs? Describe battle sign and
        raccoon eyes and CSF leakage.


 5.     Describe post-concussion syndrome symptoms, when it can occur, and how it
        affect the individuals’ life.


6.      Why might an individual with a concussion be admitted for observation? If he is
       not admitted, what should patient teaching include?


 7.     Why might secondary brain injury be more fatal than the original bleed?



 8.     How can cerebral edema alone cause death in an individual? Give several
        examples of what can cause cerebral edema to occur.



 9.     Your TBI client is restless and thrashing about, what could this mean?




 10.    How do you know if clear drainage coming from the nose of your TBI patient is
        CFS or just nasal drainage from allergies?



 11.    What are some possible emergency assessment and interventions for a TBI
        patient?


 12. How is Glasgow Coma Scale utilized in the patient with a head injury?
                                    Brain Tumor

1.    Describe the difference between primary and secondary (metastatic) brain
      tumors.


2.    What type of tissues do primary brain tumors arise from?


3.    Do primary brain tumors often metastases to other parts of the body?


4.    How can benign tumors cause death?


5.    Which is more fatal and invasive, a Grade I or Grade IV astrocytoma
      (glioblastoma multiforme)?


6.    Why are more individuals developing metastatic (secondary) brain tumors?


7.    Why are symptoms of a brain tumor (both generalized and focal)?


8.    Why are corticosteriods, anticonvulsants, and chemotherapy often prescribed
      for patients with a brain tumor?

9.    What surgery can be done for brain tumors?

10.   What is the difference between a supratentorial and an infratentorial surgery?

11.   Describe potential complications of a brain tumor.