OET Listening Partie B : Head Injury Home Care Instructions

The first 24 hours after a head injury are the most important

although after effects may appear much later.

It's important that the patient is woken every 2 hours for the first 24 hours.

If they're recovering at home, then this should be by someone responsible,

who is able to also watch for the following symptoms:

persistent headache, nausea or vomiting;

weakness, numbness or paralysis of the arms or legs;

blood or clear fluid coming from the ears or nose;

blurred vision, or one pupil larger than the other and convulsions.

If any of these occurs, then the person will need to call their GP immediately,

or return to the hospital emergency department.