Poly-trauma and Blast Exposure
Poly-trauma is a condition in which the body organ systems and physical regions develop injuries (Faist & Heberer, 2006). Injuries that define poly-trauma can be life threatening to victims. These injuries risk the victims psychosocial, psychological cognitive, and patients functional ability. Poly-trauma and blast exposure are commonly found together. When defense personnel and veterans are exposed to more powerful military explosions, they are more often than not likely to experience poly-traumatic injuries. Such exposure can cause penetration of blast injuries to the body and to the brain. Exposure to Military explosions may as well cause severe hemorrhage that comes from internal injuries and penetration. Higher rates of poly-trauma and blast exposure directly undermine troop’s retention and readiness (Spiro & Tun, 2013). Poly-trauma and blast exposure do display serious health issues to veterans and significantly undermines their combat operations. Victims of poly-trauma and blast exposure are more likely to sustain traumatic brain injury throughout their life.
The traumatic brain injury can be attributed to some common signs which include physical symptoms, cognitive symptoms and emotional symptoms. Emotional symptoms include; mood swings, anxiety, depression and irritability. Cognitive signs portrayed by traumatic brain injury include; slowed thinking, attention problems, concentration problems and difficulties in finding even common words. Physical symptoms attributed to traumatic brain injury include; sensitivity to light, visual disturbances, balance problems, dizziness, headaches, fatigue, nausea and even vomiting. Veterans and military personnel who develop multiple concussions pose a higher risk for early dementia. A concussion increases the risk of prolonged neurologic damage.
Intracranial Pressure (ICP) monitoring
This is a vital and helpful tool that can monitor and diagnose therapeutic modality in case of very severe injuries on the head (Spiro & Tun, 2013).
Carotid angiogram
This tool can be essential to use in case of some penetrating developed injuries. It can be used to intervene in cases of bullet injuries.
Occupational therapy evaluation
Occupational therapy can be used to assess how poly trauma and blast exposure can affect performance skills in terms of; cognitive, physical and psychological attributes. Occupational therapy evaluation can be used to determine the extent of the pandemic in terms of environmental impact, potential barriers and factors for performance.
Intervention
Occupational therapy, carotid angiogram and ICP monitoring all have the goal to restore patient’s earlier performance and their ability to participate in helpful activities and valued roles. Patients are integrated into concepts that motivate them. Based on their needs and wishes, patients are involved in a range of interventions that give them a sense of purpose (Taber & Hurley, 2006). Patients are given attention to their impaired functional abilities. Such transition aims for patients’ dependency, recovery and active routine participation in helpful activities. Therefore, medical practitioners have the role to manage poly-trauma patients in order to ensure their survivability. All these tools and intervention represent the ultimate efforts for minimizing poly-trauma disruptions and impairment to effective functional performances.
In conclusion, I would use CT scan as an assessment tool of intervention for poly trauma and blast exposure patients. This is because CT scan has proven to be the most vital diagnostic tool for such patients (Taber & Hurley, 2006). CT scan is important in the case of deterioration on the patient’s neurological status. For example, I would involve patients for a CT scan in order to determine their localized signs and symptoms. For example, amnesia, loss of consciousness and depression.
References
Faist, E., Baue, A.E., Dittmer, H., & Heberer, G. (2006). Multiple organ failure in polytrauma patients. Journal of Trauma, 35(8), 655-857.
Spiro, A., Tun C., & Lafleche G. (2013). Chronic postconcussion symptoms and functional outcomes in OEF/OIF veterans with self report of blast exposure. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 19(01), 1-10.
Taber, K.H., & Hurley, R.A. (2006). Blast-related traumatic brain injury: what is known?. The Journal of neuropsychiatry and clinical neurosciences, 18(2), 141-145.
