Posted: August 17th, 2017

Before the patient diagnosed with a concussion is released from the Emergency Department, the nurse teaches the family or friends who will be tending to the patient to contact the physician or return to the ED if the patient

Before the patient diagnosed with a concussion is released from the Emergency Department, the nurse teaches the family or friends who will be tending to the patient to contact the physician or return to the ED if the patient
a) vomits.
Vomiting is a sign of increasing intracranial pressure and should be reported immediately.
b) complains of headache.
In general, the finding of headache in the patient with a concussion is an expected abnormal observation. However, severe headache should be reported or treated immediately.
c) complains of generalized weakness.
Weakness of one side of the body should be reported or treated immediately.
d) sleeps for short periods of time.
Difficulty in waking the patient should be reported or treated immediately.