A 65-year-old female on warfarin (INR unknown) sustains a simple fall and hits her head. She has a GCS of 15 with no focal neurological deficit and a ...

Question

A 65-year-old female on warfarin (INR unknown) sustains a simple fall and hits her head. She has a GCS of 15 with no focal neurological deficit and a small scalp laceration. Per NICE CG176, does she meet the criteria for an urgent CT head?

Accepted Answer

Yes - any head injury in a patient on anticoagulants warrants urgent CT head

Answer

No - CT is only needed if she had loss of consciousness

Answer

No - she only needs CT if her GCS drops below 15

Answer

Yes - but only if her INR is above 3

Answer

She can be safely discharged if neurological observations are normal for 4 hours

uk-dipimc MCQ (SBA): Anticoagulated Head Injury CT

A 65-year-old female on warfarin (INR unknown) sustains a simple fall and hits her head. She has a GCS of 15 with no focal neurological deficit and a small scalp laceration. Per NICE CG176, does she meet the criteria for an urgent CT head?