Abstract
The patient with concussion is one who, with or without brief unconsciousness, has recovered to nearly normal in a limited time. Just which patients are apt to do this is a process of exclusion. This article is a mixture of what to look for, what to do and what findings rule out simple concussion. While repeated observation of level of consciousness, airway control and careful assessment of vital signs usually rule out serious injury, we must be on our toes to avoid serious mistakes.
Full text
PDF
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Jones C. Glasgow coma scale. Am J Nurs. 1979 Sep;79(9):1551–1553. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Rosman N. P., Herskowitz J., Carter A. P., O'Connor J. F. Acute head trauma in infancy and childhood. Clinical and radiologic aspects. Pediatr Clin North Am. 1979 Nov;26(4):707–736. doi: 10.1016/s0031-3955(16)33779-8. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Stevenson B. E. Initial management of the acute head injury. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 1979 May;12(2):279–291. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Teasdale G., Jennett B. Assessment of coma and impaired consciousness. A practical scale. Lancet. 1974 Jul 13;2(7872):81–84. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(74)91639-0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]