Citation

Ortega-Pérez S, Amaya-Rey MC. J. Neurosci. Nurs. 2018; 50(4): 220-224.

Affiliation

Questions or comments about this article may be directed to Stefany Ortega Pérez, PhD(c) MSc RN, at srortega@uninorte.edu.co. She is an Assistant Professor, Nursing School, Universidad del Norte, Barranquilla, Colombia. Becario Colciencias 757. PhD student at Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia. María Consuelo Amaya Rey, PhD MSN BS FNP RN, is a Full-Emeritus Professor, Nursing School, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, American Association of Neuroscience Nurses)

DOI

10.1097/JNN.0000000000000384

PMID

29985274

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Traumatic brain injury and cerebrovascular disease may lead to motor, behavioral, and/or cognitive disabilities. The associated neurologic and vascular damage triggers a chain of events that lead to a secondary brain injury (SBI), a preventable cause of adverse neurological outcomes. Proper prevention of these factors may limit undesirable outcomes. This article presents a concept analysis that aims to form a single definition of the term secondary brain injury for nursing personnel.

METHODOLOGY: Concept analysis was used to clarify the concept of SBI. An electronic search was performed on existing nursing literature dating from 1995 to 2016 on PubMed, MEDLINE, Ovid Journal, Wiley, and ProQuest.

RESULTS: A clear definition and description of the attributes, antecedents, and consequences of SBI increases the knowledge and level of recognition of the secondary injuries. This may lead to strategies that reduce the risk of long-term effects (disability) and poor clinical outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS: This concept analysis contributes to the endeavor of identifying phenomena that are pertinent for nursing; it also provides a basis for future research that leads to improving nursing interventions and creating educational programs and healthcare policies that prevent or eliminate the consequences of SBI.

Language: en