This week’s graded discussion topic relates to the following Course Outcomes (COs).
- CO1 Utilize prior knowledge of theories and principles of nursing and related disciplines to explain expected client behaviors, while differentiating between normal findings, variations, and abnormalities. (PO 1)
- CO2 Recognize the influence that developmental stages have on physical, psychosocial, cultural, and spiritual functioning. (PO 1)
- CO3 Utilize effective communication when performing a health assessment. (PO 3)
Randy Adams is a 38-year-old male patient of Dr. Joseph Reynolds who was admitted yesterday morning for 24-hour observation for mild concussion following a motor vehicle accident. Randy lost consciousness during the accident and was very confused when he arrived in the ER after EMS transport. He is an Iraq war veteran and he seemed to think after the accident that this all happened in Iraq. Dr. Reynolds is concerned that Randy has some residual problems from a couple of explosive incidents that occurred while he was in Iraq. The physician is unsure whether Randy’s current symptoms are from the car accident or from prior injuries so he has referred him for consultations to both a neurologist and to a behavioral health specialist.
Based on the above please discuss the following.
- Pathophysiology of concussive injuries and treatment
- Neurological assessment tools used in your current practice setting (if not presently working, please describe one used during prior employment or schooling)
- Current best practices associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Nursing interventions you would include in this patient’s plan of care
Solution:
As it pertains to our readings this week, “Any blow, jolt, or penetrating head injury that results in the disruption to the normal function of the brain is referred to as a traumatic brain injury. Due to the complexity of the brain, every injury to the brain is different. Symptoms and recovery times will be individualized and can vary greatly depending on the severity of the injury” (Jarvis, 2016). It seems as if Randy Adams is having some sort of PTSD related to traumatic brain injury. The most appropriate form of treatment for a concussion is to rest. Resting allows the brain to recover from the concussion. This includes both physical and mental resting. Resting from physical activity is obvious when said, no exertion, no sports, no vigorous activities. However, mental rest is a little bit different. Taking a mental rest includes reducing activities that require mental concentration such as school work, video games, reading, being in front of a computer, all activities that require your brain to process a lot of information at once.
Neurological assessment tools used in your current practice setting (if not presently working, please describe one used during prior employment or schooling)
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