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Glossary

Analgesics
Pain Relievers, Fever Reducers
Anti-Anxiety
Medications to reduce anxiety; oftentimes SSRIs (such as Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Lexapro, and Celexa) or Benzodiazepines (like Xanax, Valium, and Ativan)
Anti-Coagulants
Medications, such as Heparin or Warfarin (also called Coumadin), to slow down your body's process of making clots
Closed (or non-penetrating)
Non-penetrating head injuries occur when there is a blow or jolt to the head, which can happen during a fall, motor vehicle accident, or sports related accident.
Decerebrate
Arms straighten & legs straighten
Decorticate
Arms bend, legs straighten
GCS
Glasgow Coma Scale
Open (penetrating)
Penetrating head injuries occur when an object enters the brain and causes damage to a specific area of the brain.
Traumatic Impact
A brain injury resulting from an impact; i.e., when the head is struck by or against an object.
Traumatic Inertial
A brain injury not caused by an impact but rather as a result of inertial forces.
Uniform Determination of Death Act (UDDA)
The UDDA is model legislation adopted in each state which offers two definitions for when an individual may legally be declared dead: (1) Irreversible cessation of circulatory and respiratory functions; or (2) Irreversible cessation of all functions of the entire brain, including the brain stem.

 

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