Patient Education: Understanding Severe Head Trauma

1. Understanding the Injury

Severe head trauma is a serious injury to the head and brain. It happens when there is a strong blow, hit, or accident that causes damage. The brain may swell, bleed, or bruise, which can be life-threatening.

Types of Severe Head Trauma

Concussion (severe): A strong hit to the head causing brain injury.
Skull fracture: A break in the skull bone.
Brain bleed (hematoma): Bleeding inside the brain or around it.
Diffuse brain injury: Widespread damage to brain cells.

Location and Severity

Mild: Headache, confusion, dizziness.
Moderate: Loss of consciousness for minutes to hours, memory problems.
Severe: Long unconsciousness, seizures, loss of movement, coma.
Location matters—injury to the front, side, or back of the head may affect memory, speech, movement, or vision.

Causes / Risk Factors

Car accidents
Falls
Sports injuries
Assaults or violence
Work accidents

2. Symptoms to Watch For

Severe headache
Nausea or vomiting
Trouble speaking or confusion
Loss of balance or coordination
Weakness or numbness in arms/legs
Loss of consciousness (passing out)
Seizures
Vision or hearing changes

Signs of Infection

(If surgery or wounds are present)

Redness spreading around incision
Warmth, pus, or foul smell
Fever or chills

Delayed Complications

Brain swelling
Blood clots
Trouble thinking, memory problems
Mood or behavior changes
Long-term disability

3. Post-Hospitalization Information

Keep all follow-up appointments.
You may need rehab with physical, speech, or occupational therapy.
Medications may be prescribed for pain, seizures, or swelling.

4. Home Management & Recovery

Pain Management

Take medicine as prescribed.
Rest in a quiet, dark room if headaches worsen.

Mobility

Use walking aids if balance is poor.
Do not return to sports or heavy activity until cleared by your doctor.

Wound Care

Always follow your doctor’s wound care orders.
Keep incisions clean and dry.
Call your doctor or home health if the wound becomes red, swollen, or drains pus.

Rest and Rehabilitation

Get plenty of rest.
Gentle brain and body exercises only if recommended.
Avoid TV, phones, or computers if they make headaches worse.

5. Prevention of Complications

Infection prevention: Handwashing, clean bandages, avoid dirty water.
Fall prevention: Use rails, clear walkways, keep good lighting.
Monitoring delayed symptoms: Report new headaches, confusion, weakness, or seizures.

6. When to Contact Home Health vs ER

Call Home Health: For wound checks, medication questions, therapy support.
Go to the ER Immediately: If you have seizures, cannot wake up, have worsening headaches, sudden weakness/numbness, vomiting, or trouble speaking/breathing.

📘 Homework / Patient Assessment: True or False

Circle True or False for each statement.

True or False: Severe head trauma is always a minor problem.
True or False: The brain can bruise, swell, or bleed after severe trauma.
True or False: A skull fracture means the skull bone is broken.
True or False: A brain bleed is also called a hematoma.
True or False: Car accidents and falls are common causes of severe head trauma.
True or False: Severe headaches, confusion, and vomiting may be symptoms.
True or False: It is safe to ignore seizures after a head injury.
True or False: Infection may show redness, warmth, pus, or fever.
True or False: Long-term problems may include memory or mood changes.
True or False: Follow-up appointments are important after hospitalization.
True or False: Pain medicine should only be taken if prescribed by your doctor.
True or False: It is safe to return to sports right after severe head trauma.
True or False: Wounds should be kept clean and dry.
True or False: Rest is an important part of healing the brain.
True or False: Using handwashing and clean bandages helps prevent infection.
True or False: Removing trip hazards at home lowers the risk of falls.
True or False: Seizures or sudden weakness are reasons to go to the ER.
True or False: Watching too much TV or using electronics can worsen headaches.
True or False: Home health can help with wound care and medication support.
True or False: Always contact your doctor if new symptoms appear after a head injury.

✅ Answer Key with Explanations

False – Severe head trauma is very serious and can be life-threatening.
True – The brain may bruise, swell, or bleed.
True – A skull fracture is a broken skull bone.
True – Hematoma means bleeding inside or around the brain.
True – Car accidents and falls are major causes.
True – These are common warning signs.
False – Seizures after head trauma are emergencies.
True – Infection often shows these signs.
True – Long-term effects may include memory or mood issues.
True – Follow-up care checks for complications.
True – Only take medicines prescribed.
False – You must be cleared by a doctor before returning to sports.
True – Keeping wounds clean prevents infection.
True – Rest helps the brain heal.
True – Clean hands and dressings reduce infection risk.
True – Removing hazards prevents falls.
True – These are emergencies and need ER care.
True – Electronics can worsen headaches in recovery.
True – Home health helps with care and safety.
True – Always report new or worsening symptoms.