After controlling a head laceration's bleeding, what should you monitor for?

After controlling a head laceration's bleeding, what should you monitor for?

• A. Signs of concussion.
• B. Only infection.
• C. No further symptoms.
• D. Blood pressure changes.

Answer: (A)

After you’ve stopped the bleeding from a head laceration, you still need to be alert for signs of concussion, because brain injury can exist even when the wound stops bleeding. Look for confusion or memory problems, dizziness, headache, nausea or vomiting, drowsiness or a noticeably altered mental state, balance problems, or any loss of consciousness. If any of these symptoms appear or worsen, seek medical evaluation promptly. Infection can develop later, but the priority in the field is detecting concussion signs and getting the person checked. Changes in blood pressure can occur with more serious brain injury, but you can’t rely on field measurements to guide this—you focus on mental status and neurological signs.

After you’ve stopped the bleeding from a head laceration, you still need to be alert for signs of concussion, because brain injury can exist even when the wound stops bleeding. Look for confusion or memory problems, dizziness, headache, nausea or vomiting, drowsiness or a noticeably altered mental state, balance problems, or any loss of consciousness. If any of these symptoms appear or worsen, seek medical evaluation promptly. Infection can develop later, but the priority in the field is detecting concussion signs and getting the person checked. Changes in blood pressure can occur with more serious brain injury, but you can’t rely on field measurements to guide this—you focus on mental status and neurological signs.