Traumatic brain injuries sustained in the Afghanistan and Iraq wars.
Because these injuries can go unrecognized, nurses stateside need to know how to recognize possible cases and how to help.


BACKGROUND
When traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs simultaneously with more obviously life-threatening wounds, it may go unrecognized. Civilians and military personnel working in or near combat zones are at risk for this injury. Blast-related and closed-head injuries, rather than penetrating injuries, constitute the majority of TBIs in this population. The authors describe the experiences of the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center team at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC, and present a composite case to illustrate the nurse's role in the assessment and care of the TBI patient.
Martin
Elisabeth Moy
EM
Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center (DVBIC) at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC, USA. lisamoymartin@yahoo.com
Lu
Wei C
WC
Helmick
Katherine
K
French
Louis
L
Warden
Deborah L
DL
D000328:Adult; D000346:Afghanistan; D001753:Blast Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D016489:Head Injuries, Closed / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D007493:Iraq; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology