A 25-year-old male presents after a motor vehicle collision with severe headache, nausea, and dizziness. He lost consciousness briefly at the scene but is now awake. Physical exam shows a contusion over his left forehead. What could be the potential causes, and what are the next steps?
These symptoms and findings suggest the possibility of a traumatic brain injury, such as concussion, skull fracture, or intracranial hemorrhage. Immediate steps should include stabilizing the patient and obtaining a non-contrast head CT scan to assess for skull fracture, brain hemorrhage, or cerebral contusion. The patient should also be closely monitored for any changes in consciousness, which could indicate increasing intracranial pressure.