A head injury may be open or closed. In open
injuries, there is a visible wound and, at times, the brain may
actually be seen. In closed injuries, no visible injury is seen,
but the casualty may experience the same signs and symptoms. Either
closed or open head injuries can be life-threatening if the injury
has been severe enough; thus, if you suspect a head injury, evaluate
the casualty for the following:
- Current or recent unconsciousness (loss of consciousness).
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Convulsions or twitches (involuntary jerking and shaking).
- Slurred speech.
- Confusion.
- Sleepiness (drowsiness).
- Loss of memory (does casualty know his own name, where he
is, and so forth).
- Clear or bloody fluid leaking from nose or ears.
- Staggering in walking.
- Dizziness.
- A change in pulse rate.
- Breathing problems.
- Eye (vision) problems, such as unequal pupils.
- Paralysis.
- Headache.
- Black eyes.
- Bleeding from scalp/head area.
- Deformity of the head.
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