Patient discussions
Ensure that printed advice for people with a head injury, and their families and carers, is age appropriate and includes: details of the nature and severity of the injury, risk factors that mean people need to return to the emergency department, a specification that a responsible adult should stay with the person for the first 24 hours after their injury, details about the recovery process (including the fact that some people may appear to make a quick recovery but later have difficulties or complications), contact details of community and hospital services in case of delayed complications, information about return to everyday activities (including school, work, sports, and driving), and details of support organisations.[28]
Counsel the patient to look for signs of delayed cerebrospinal fluid leakage; infectious symptoms such as fever, chills, rigors; and symptoms suggesting meningitis, such as photophobia, headache, and neck stiffness. Also advise them to look for symptoms of cranial nerve injury such as facial numbness or asymmetry, which may present late if due to neurapraxia rather than nerve transection.
Inform people with a head injury, and their families and carers, about the possibility of persistent or delayed symptoms after a head injury and who to contact if they have ongoing problems.[28]
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