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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

1 Answer

4 votes

A) option is correct

Step-by-step 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

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