Pediatric Concussions: Best Practices for Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries (mTBI)
Course Overview
There are three main types of traumatic brain injuries (TBI); Mild TBI or concussion, Moderate TBI, and Severe TBI. This course is designed for practicing healthcare providers who work with children and adolescents who have suffered a minor Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) or concussions. This course is most beneficial for the healthcare provider who has a basic knowledge of concussion and concussion management but has not recently reviewed the current literature about or evidence-based guidelines for concussion care and management. Concussion identification and management is changing every year. This includes significant changes over the last several years in the classification of concussion and an approach to diagnosis that considers the complexity of concussion and the need for individualized patient-centered care. Gaps in knowledge that have been identified in nursing practice include the role of neuroimaging in concussion, the understanding of current guidelines and definitions of concussion, and the prescription of individualized gradual return to activity and sport (Gillooly, D.R., 2023). This course provides a comprehensive evidenced-based content related to the complex nature of minor concussions or mTBI; the pathophysiology of concussion; the physiologic dysfunction that may result; as well as the assessment tools required for evidence-based examination and treatment.
Learning Outcomes
Upon the completion of this course, the learner should be able to:
- Evaluate the history, epidemiology, and pathophysiology of concussion or mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI).
- Examine the common signs and symptoms of concussion.
- Evaluate the key components of the physical examination, including the appropriate tests and measures and how these findings impact prognosis.
- Recall appropriate patient-centered interventions to address the key concussion symptoms and activity limitations.
- Evaluate the prognosis of concussion in pediatric patients.
- Identify the signs and symptoms that warrant referral to the emergency department or to specialists.
- Evaluate the possible long-term consequences of concussion.
- Identify concussion prevention strategies and initiatives
About the Author/Presenter
June D. Thompson, DrPH, MSN, RN, FAEN, is an educator, clinician, researcher, and writer. She has served as the director of education and research for University Hospitals in Albuquerque, New Mexico, as well as the director of research and development for Florida Hospitals in Orlando, Florida. In these capacities, she helped to champion standards of clinical practice based on evidence. She has taught both undergraduate and graduate nursing at The Ohio State University and the University of Texas, Houston. Dr. Thompson earned her baccalaureate degree in nursing from Case Western Reserve University; her master’s in nursing from The Ohio State University; and her doctorate in public health, injury epidemiology, from the University of Texas, Houston.
Audience/Accreditations and Approvals
TRC Healthcare/ NetCE
In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by TRC Healthcare/ NetCE. TRC Healthcare/NetCE is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
This course is designed for the following healthcare professions (select your profession for details):
Nursing
Colibri Healthcare
This course is designed for the following healthcare professions (select your profession for details):
Physical Therapy
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