Sun28November0628PM 44

The following are absolute indications for endotracheal intubation following a head injury:

True / False

Lucid interval associated with the event Correct

PaCO2 of 3.9 kPa Incorrect answer selected

Glasgow coma score (GCS) of 11 Correct

Loss of protective laryngeal reflexes Correct

PaO2 of 15 kPa on oxygen Correct

Explanation

Indications for endotracheal intubation following traumatic brain injury may be absolute or relative. Absolute indications include the following:

GCS of =8

PaO2 <13 kPa on oxygen

Spontaneous hyperventilation to a PaCO2 of 4.5 kPa

Seizures

Fall of >2 points in the motor component of the GCS, and

Associated significant maxillofacial trauma which threatens the airway.

Further Reading:

American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma. Advanced Trauma Life Support for Doctors, Student Course Manual (ATLS). 8th ed. Chicago, IL: American College of Surgeons; 2008.

Brain Trauma Foundation. https://braintrauma.org/uploads/03/12/Guidelines_for_Management_of_Severe_TBI_4th_Edition.pdf

Answer Statistics

Not enough data to display the statistics

Average score: 80.13%

Times answered: 316