Head injuries. Initial evaluation and management.

While primary neurologic damage in the patient with head trauma may be irreversible, damage from secondary injuries can often be avoided with rapid identification and correction of factors potentially leading to such injury. In patients with severe injuries, systematic evaluation is needed, including assessment of respiratory and circulatory systems, history taking, inspection of the head, and neurologic, general, and roentgenographic examination, as well as monitoring of vital functions, continuing patient care, and administration of intravenous fluids and medications.