Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination (CPNRE) Practice Exam

A coup injury refers to a type of brain injury that occurs at the site of impact when there is a direct blow to the head. This type of injury arises because the force applied to the skull causes the brain to strike the inner surface of the skull on the same side as the impact, leading to contusion or bruising of the brain tissue.

Understanding this concept is crucial, especially in traumatic brain injury assessments, as it helps healthcare professionals to better determine the extent and location of the damage after an incident. It complements the understanding of countercoup injuries, which occur on the opposite side of the impact, highlighting the complexities of brain injury mechanisms.