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CME/CE: Neurology
Concussion Care
Considerations for primary care providers
By Karen Williams MSN, CRNP
Learning Objectives
1. Identify the prevalence and mechanisms of injury involved in concussion.
2. Summarize the importance of early detection, avoidance of additional concussions and
early education.
3. Describe how to screen for a concussion and the common presenting symptoms.
4. Discuss the treatments for common symptoms of concussion.
Eligibility: This article is eligible for 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit hour and 2 CE contact hours. After reading
and completing the posttest and evaluation, eligibility for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit is available for 6 months
past the publication date of this issue (Aug. 1, 2012). This article was last reviewed on July 20, 2012. The article
is eligible for CE contact hours for 2 years after the publication date. The author has completed a disclosure
statement and reports no relationships related to this article. The editor and reviewers have completed
disclosure statements and report no relationships related to this article.
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the
Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint sponsorship of Wayne State University
School of Medicine and ADVANCE for NPs & PAs. The Wayne State University School of Medicine is accredited
by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The Wayne State University School of
Medicine designates this journal-based CME activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s).
Physicians should only claim the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
This activity also is approved for 2 CE contact hours. The issuer of CE contact hours is Merion Publications (a
division of Merion Matters), which is approved as a provider of continuing education in nursing by three agencies.
For details on CE provider numbers, visit the CE Test Center on our website, www.advanceweb.com/NPPA.
➼ Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
encompasses a broad spectrum of injury
with symptoms and effects that range
from mild to severe.
This article focuses on mild TBI (mTBI)
and reviews the symptoms and treatments
for this injury, commonly known
as a concussion.
Prevalence
Head injury is a leading cause of disability
throughout the world. Each year
in the United States, an estimated 1.7
million people sustain a TBI. 1 Concussion
accounts for about 75% of these brain
injuries. 2 The leading cause of TBI is
falls (35.2%), followed by motor vehicle
crashes (17.3%), being struck by or falling
against something (16.5%), and assaults
(10%). 1 In the United States armed forces,
233,425 TBIs were reported between 2000
and 2011. 3 Of these, approximately 76%
were mTBIs. 3
➤
Karen Williams is a family nurse practitioner
who practices in the neurology and
traumatic brain injury unit at Landstuhl Regional
Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany. She is
an employee of the United States Army.
Tom Whalen
ADVANCE for NP & PAs
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