A nurse is educating a student about cerebral edema.
The student nurse inquires, “What type of cerebral edema is associated with a patient who has had a stroke?” Which of the following is the best response from the nurse?

Choice A rationale
While traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can occur at any age, people in their 30s are not at the highest risk. Other factors, such as participation in high-risk activities or certain occupations, can increase the risk of TBI, but age alone in this group does not confer a higher risk.
Choice B rationale
People who play contact sports are at a higher risk of sustaining a TBI. Contact sports such as football, boxing, and hockey have a high incidence of TBIs, including concussions.
Choice C rationale
Abstaining from alcohol does not increase the risk of TBI. In fact, alcohol use is a risk factor for TBI, as it can increase the likelihood of falls, car accidents, and other events that can cause TBI1112.
Choice D rationale
Living in rural areas does not inherently increase the risk of TBI. However, certain factors associated with rural living, such as increased travel distances and limited access to trauma

care, can contribute to the severity of a TBI once it occurs. Subarachnoid hemorrhageSubarachnoid hemorrhage Explore

Choice A rationale
Penetrating traumatic brain injuries can cause significant damage to the brain. The extent of this damage is often related to the size, route, and speed of the object entering the brain. A larger, faster object or one that follows a path through vital areas of the brain can cause more severe injury. This is because the object can disrupt normal brain tissue and function, leading to a range of potential effects, from temporary changes in brain function to long-term complications or even death.
Choice B rationale
While it is true that a penetrating injury can cause leakage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), this is not the primary source of damage in such injuries. CSF leakage can lead to complications such as meningitis, an infection of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.
However, the primary damage in penetrating brain injuries comes from the direct physical disruption of brain tissue by the object.
Choice C rationale
Coup and contrecoup injuries are terms used to describe injuries that occur at the site of impact (coup) and on the opposite side of the brain (contrecoup). These injuries are typically associated with blunt force trauma, not penetrating injuries. In a penetrating injury, the damage is localized to the path that the object has taken through the brain, rather than at the point of impact and its opposite side.

Choice D rationale
While a penetrating object can indeed shatter the skull and potentially cause an infection, the primary damage in penetrating brain injuries is caused by the direct injury to the brain tissue itself. Infections are a secondary complication that can occur if bacteria enter the brain through the wound.