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Chapter 4 - Clinical Assessment of the Head-Injured Patient

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 April 2020

By
Amr H. Mohamed ,
Peter C. Whitfield  and
Deva S. Jeyaretna
Edited by
Peter C. Whitfield ,
Jessie Welbourne ,
Elfyn Thomas ,
Fiona Summers ,
Maggie Whyte  and
Peter J. Hutchinson
Peter C. Whitfield
Affiliation:
Derriford Hospital, Plymouth
Jessie Welbourne
Affiliation:
University Hospitals, Plymouth
Elfyn Thomas
Affiliation:
Derriford Hospital, Plymouth
Fiona Summers
Affiliation:
Aberdeen Royal Infirmary
Maggie Whyte
Affiliation:
Aberdeen Royal Infirmary
Peter J. Hutchinson
Affiliation:
Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge
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Summary

The rapid and accurate clinical assessment of a head-injured patient is crucial. The initial management should be governed by attention to the airway, breathing and circulation according to the principles of the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) care system. This is vital not only to identify immediately life-threatening injuries but also to prevent secondary cerebral insults. The cervical spine should be immobilised, since patients with a head injury may also harbour a cervical spine injury.1 The level of consciousness and pupil size and reaction should be determined early and at regular intervals when managing patients with TBI.

Type
Chapter
Information
Traumatic Brain Injury
A Multidisciplinary Approach
 , pp. 34 - 42
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2020

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