Question

Sarah Steele is a 16-year-old who plays on her high school’s varsity women’s soccer team. She sustained a head injury during a game; immediately afterward, the trainer took her out of the game for observation. At first Sarah insisted she was fine, but shortly after the incident she began complaining of a headache and seemed dazed. The trainer called her parents down from the bleachers, and they brought her to the emergency department of the local hospital. As you begin your assessment, Sarah answers your questions slowly and complains of a headache. She continues to appear dazed.

What is the length of time for which the nurse can expect this client to stay in the hospital for observation? Why?

What should the client and her parents be told about the recovery time after a concussion?

What should the client and her parents be told about playing soccer again?

What should the nurse tell the parents and the client about Second Impact Syndrome?

What can the family do to assess her symptoms at home and determine whether she is ready to play competitive sports again?

Answer 1

The nurse can expect the patient to be on observation for 24 hours or overnight to assess the patient for any further detoriation or difficulty after the event.

In head injury the symptoms may or may not be immediate depending up In the extent of injury. The patient mental status or central nervous changes, GI disturbances, loss of conscious may occur immediately or later.This can be know and treated promptly if the patient is hospitalized

The average recovery time after a concussion is a week to 10 days.In case of the symptoms doesn't settle down the resting days to be increased.

The patient can play soccer after adequate rest and having no symptoms .To recover fast the patient to be informed to stay out of television, mobiles,videogames.

Second I,pact syndrome refers to a second concussion without the proper healing of first concussion

The family members can assess in the following way

• Ensure she has no symptoms like headache, confusion
• The girl is able to do her activities without any confusions and is very alert.