Nursing Interventions to Prevent Secondary Injury in Critically Ill Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury: A Scoping...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Critical Care Nursing
• Evidence-Based Practice

Background:

• Traumatic brain injury (TBI) presents significant health and socioeconomic challenges.
• Nursing interventions are essential for mitigating secondary injury and enhancing patient prognosis in TBI.
• A critical need exists to synthesize evidence on nursing's role in preventing secondary TBI.

Purpose of the Study:

• To map and analyze existing scientific evidence on nursing interventions for preventing secondary injuries in critically ill TBI patients.
• To identify key nursing roles and strategies in TBI management.
• To highlight the impact of nursing care on TBI patient outcomes.

Main Methods:

• A scoping review methodology based on Arksey and O'Malley's framework was employed.
• Searches were conducted across multiple databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Cochrane) in May 2023.
• Inclusion criteria focused on English and Portuguese articles published between 2010 and 2023.

Main Results:

• Out of 277 initial articles, 15 met the inclusion criteria.
• Key nursing interventions identified include neuromonitoring, therapeutic administration, analytical surveillance, professional training, and family support.
• Nurses are pivotal in early detection of neurological changes, treatment delivery, metabolic monitoring, staff education, and family engagement.

Conclusions:

• Evidence-based practice and innovative technologies empower nurses to improve TBI patient care.
• Nursing interventions significantly contribute to preventing secondary injuries and promoting overall patient well-being.
• The findings underscore the indispensable role of nurses in optimizing outcomes for critically ill TBI patients.