164 Chapter 8
The right hemi sphere and other parts of Mary Lynn’s brain had been damaged, causing blind-
ness on the left side of both eyes. The blindness, homonymous hemianopsia, was in the same visual
half- field of both eyes. In Mary Lynn’s case, it was left homonymous hemianopsia, affecting the left
side of her visual world. She also suffered from visual neglect, and initially did not cross the visual
midline and attend to persons or things on the left side. When eating, Mary Lynn consumed only
the foods on the right side of the plate, and when she applied makeup, it was only to the right side
of her face. The visual field cut also affected her ability to read and name objects. Due to the right
hemi sphere brain damage, she also had prob lems appreciating facial expressions and interpreting
verbal intent and emotion. Therapy was very helpful, and ultimately, when Mary Lynn was dis-
charged to the specially designed apartment complex associated with the rehabilitation hospital,
her communication abilities were functional and nearly normal.
When an object impacts or penetrates a human brain, the results can be devastating to the
patient and his or her family. Some patients are permanently comatose and spend the remainder
of their lives oblivious to family and friends. Others gradually emerge from the coma and resume
their lives, although with memory, learning, behavioral, and communication disorders. Some
patients make a complete recovery and go on to lead normal lives. Health care professionals come
into these patients’ lives at a very impor tant time. Their knowledge, skill, and concern are power ful
determinants of the patient’s ultimate recovery.
- What is the difference between a closed and open head injury?
- What is a coma? What are some diagnostic terms for and definitions of reduced awareness?
- What is the difference between anterograde and retrograde amnesia?
- Describe the types of neurogenic communication disorders resulting from traumatic brain
injury. - How are memory and orientation related?
- What is response delay?
- Describe the lingering psychological and communication prob lems that may result from trau-
matic brain injury. - How might aphasic paraphasias cause the misdiagnosis of post-traumatic psychosis?
- Compare and contrast the behavioral, emotional, cognitive, and communication impairments
in pediatric and adult traumatic brain injury. What role does the patient’s age play in determin-
ing the prognosis? Why is age a factor? - What types of tracheotomies exist, and how might they affect speech production?