Question

You have been called by family members for their mother who is "not acting right." On scene the family informs you that they are concerned because their 68-year-old mother has been complaining of a headache for two days and is now very confused. When asking about a bruise on the right side of her forehead, the family states she fell in church a week ago and hit her head. Since all other aspects of the assessment are unremarkable, you suspect a head injury. What condition would you suspect given the findings and history?
A) Subdural hematomaB) Battle's signC) ConcussionD) Cerebral contusion

Answer 1

A) option is correct

Explanation:

• A subdural hematoma is a collection of blood outside the brain
• Subdural hematomas are usually caused by severe head injuries
• The bleeding and increased pressure on the brain from a subdural hematoma can be life-threatening
• Some subdural hematomas stop and resolve spontaneously; others require surgical drainage
• The bleeding in a subdural hematoma is under the skull and outside the brain, not in the brain itself
• As blood accumulates, however, pressure on the brain increases
• The pressure on the brain causes a subdural hematoma's symptoms
• If pressure inside the skull rises to very high level, a subdural hematoma can lead to unconsciousness and death