Head/Spinal Injuries
Head injuries can result in concussion, a fractured skull or an injury to the brain. Head injuries can typically be caused by road trauma, diving into shallow water or slipping on a surface such as wet concrete and falling.
Signs and Symptoms
What to Do
After assessing the injuries, it is important to prepare for the possibility of a spinal injury. If the patient is responsive, keep them still, reassure them, monitor their vital signs and call triple zero for help immediately.
Signs and Symptoms
- a period of unresponsiveness
- headache
- nausea and vomiting
- vision problems
- numbness and/or tingling
- paralysis
- convulsions
- a discharge of fluid from ears, nose or mouth
- bruising around the eyes
- bleeding into the white of the eyes
What to Do
After assessing the injuries, it is important to prepare for the possibility of a spinal injury. If the patient is responsive, keep them still, reassure them, monitor their vital signs and call triple zero for help immediately.
- If there is discharge from the ear, cover it lightly with a sterile cloth and allow it to drain.
- If the patient is unconscious, administer DRSABCD and call triple zero.
- Signs and symptoms of a head injury include pain or discomfort in the neck or back region, altered sensation, movement or strength in the limbs, irregular bumps on the neck or back or a slow pulse. It is safe to assume that the patient has a spinal injury if they are not fully conscious for any reason.
- To manage spinal injuries if the patient is responsive, conduct a primary survey (DRSABCD) and call triple zero; keep the patient still and reassure them; minimise any movement of the head and spinal column; monitor the patient's vital signs; maintain body temperature and manage any other injuries.
- If the patient is unresponsive, call triple zero, conduct a primary survey (DRSABCD), support the patient's head and neck avoiding any twisting or forward movement of the neck and monitor their vital signs.