TBI Cognitive & Behavioral Outcomes Flashcards

What is 'executive dysfunction' in the context of TBI, and which brain region is most associated with it?

Answer: Impaired planning, problem-solving, cognitive flexibility, and initiation; prefrontal cortex

Executive dysfunction involves impaired higher-order cognitive control functions and is primarily linked to prefrontal cortex damage in TBI.

Which behavioral syndrome after TBI is characterized by reduced initiation, flat affect, reduced spontaneous movement, and apathy despite intact cognition?

Answer: Akinetic mutism

Akinetic mutism is a severe disorder of motivation and initiation seen after bilateral frontal or anterior cingulate damage in TBI.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can co-occur with TBI; which symptom overlap makes dual diagnosis challenging?

Answer: Sleep disturbance, concentration problems, and irritability appear in both conditions

Many symptoms (insomnia, poor concentration, irritability, hyperarousal) are shared between TBI sequelae and PTSD, complicating differential diagnosis.

Which cognitive rehabilitation strategy is most effective for memory deficits after moderate-to-severe TBI?

Answer: Compensatory strategy training using external aids (notebooks, calendars, alarms)

Compensatory strategies using external memory aids are the most evidence-based approach for memory dysfunction in TBI rehabilitation.

Sleep disturbance after TBI most commonly manifests as which pattern?

Answer: Insomnia, fragmented sleep, fatigue, and excessive daytime sleepiness

TBI disrupts sleep architecture through hypothalamic and brainstem damage, resulting in mixed sleep disorders including insomnia and hypersomnia.

Which approach is used to manage agitation and aggression in TBI rehabilitation settings?

Answer: Environmental modification, structured routine, behavioral strategies, and judicious pharmacotherapy

A low-stimulation environment, predictable routines, de-escalation techniques, and targeted medications form the evidence-based approach to TBI-related agitation.