Bedside evaluations

Model System:

TBI

Reference Type:

Journal

Accession No.:

J72350

Journal:

In M. Sherer and A.M. Sander (eds.), Handbook on the Neuropsychology of Traumatic Brain Injury, Clinical Handbooks in Neuropsychology, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

Year, Volume, Issue, Page(s):

2014 , , , 49-75

Publication Website:

Abstract:

This chapter discusses the issues associated with traumatic brain injury that can be addressed with bedside evaluations. These issues include level of consciousness, posttraumatic confusion, language functioning, overall cognitive functioning, and emotional distress. Brief assessments of these issues that can be completed at bedside and are amenable to repeated administration to track clinical course can make several contributions to clinical management. These contributions include: feedback to family members regarding patient status, feedback to the patient to improve self-awareness and facilitate active participation in therapies, feedback to caregivers to inform approaches to treatment, documentation of the course of recovery and detection of unexpected worsening, assessment of effects of medication and other interventions, determination of decision-making capacity, determination of safety judgment, and others.

Author(s):

Sherer, Mark, Giacino, Joseph T., Doiron, Matthew J., LaRussa, Allison, Taylor, Sabrina R.