TBI
Structured condition card with NCLEX priority cues and nursing action focus.
Neurohigh priorityneeds review
TBI
Also testable as: Traumatic brain injury
Etiology / Pathophysiology
- Blunt or penetrating trauma damages brain tissue and vessels.
- Primary injury occurs at impact; secondary injury comes from hypoxia, hypotension, edema, or bleeding.
Medications
| Class | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Antiepileptics | May be used for seizure prevention or treatment. |
Signs / symptoms
- Battle sign, raccoon eyes, CSF leak.
- One dilated pupil after head trauma.
- Worsening restlessness.
Nursing actions
- Prioritize airway, oxygenation, cervical spine precautions, and perfusion.
- Trend GCS, pupils, motor response, and signs of basilar skull fracture.
- Report vomiting, worsening headache, seizure, or declining LOC.
Complications
- Increased ICP
- Seizures
- Aspiration
- Subdural or epidural bleeding
NCLEX cues
- Battle sign, raccoon eyes, CSF leak.
- One dilated pupil after head trauma.
- Worsening restlessness.
Memory hooks
- After head injury, behavior change is a neuro change until proven otherwise.
Labs / Diagnostics
- Trend assessment findings and ordered diagnostics; verify exact values with school source material.
Review notes
- Session-derived study seed. Verify against school materials, ATI/NCLEX review sources, current orders, and facility policy before relying on details.
Cross references
Related cards are generated from the shared study map, not hand-built per page.
Source entitycondition card
TBI
Condition card for TBI: recognize the testable cue, prevent the complication, and choose the safest first nursing action.
Termcondition cue
ICP
Pressure inside the skull that can threaten brain perfusion when elevated.
Termcondition cue
TBI
Brain injury from external force or trauma.
Med classmedication safety
Antiepileptics
Calms abnormal neuronal firing so seizures are less likely to start or spread.