Head Trauma Flashcards
6 cards from real ATLS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Head Trauma flashcards as text
A patient arrives with a GCS of 6 after a fall. CT shows an acute epidural hematoma >30 mL with 8 mm of midline shift. What is the most appropriate management?
Answer: Emergent craniotomy for evacuation
An epidural hematoma >30 mL with significant midline shift and depressed GCS requires emergent surgical evacuation.
What is the initial target for cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) in a patient with severe traumatic brain injury?
Answer: 60-70 mmHg
The recommended CPP target in severe TBI is 60-70 mmHg.
A patient with a GCS of 14 and brief loss of consciousness undergoes CT showing a small subdural hematoma with no midline shift. What is the most appropriate management?
Answer: Neurological observation with repeat CT in 6-8 hours
A small subdural hematoma without significant mass effect in an alert patient is managed with neurological observation and repeat imaging.
Which finding on clinical examination is the earliest sign of uncal herniation?
Answer: Ipsilateral pupillary dilation
Ipsilateral pupillary dilation from CN III compression against the tentorial edge is the earliest sign of uncal herniation.
Hyperventilation to a PaCO2 of 30-35 mmHg in severe TBI should be used in which situation?
Answer: As a temporizing measure for acute signs of herniation
Brief hyperventilation is a temporizing measure for acute herniation signs, as cerebral vasoconstriction reduces ICP rapidly but can cause ischemia if prolonged.
What is the GCS score for a patient who opens eyes to pain, makes incomprehensible sounds, and exhibits flexion withdrawal to pain?
Answer: GCS 8
Eye opening to pain (E2) + incomprehensible sounds (V2) + flexion withdrawal (M4) = GCS 8.