Pediatric Concussions: Best Practices for Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries (mTBI)

Goals & Objectives:

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 completing this course, the learner will 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.