BEST PRACTICES FOR NURSES IN THE INITIAL STABILIZATION OF PATIENTS WITH TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY

Abstract

Traumatic brain injury is a major public health problem due to its high incidence, morbidity and mortality, and its impact on victims’ functional ability and quality of life. It is characterized by injury caused by an external force capable of compromising the skull, the brain, and adjacent structures, and may result in transient or permanent neurological changes. In urgent and emergency care settings, rapid, systematic, and skilled initial care is essential to reduce complications and improve prognosis. In this context, nurses play a strategic role in the initial stabilization of patients, performing primary assessment, continuous clinical monitoring, immediate interventions, and coordinating the multidisciplinary team. This study aims to identify best nursing practices in the initial stabilization of patients with traumatic brain injury. It is an integrative literature review analyzing studies published between 2016 and 2025 in the SciELO, BVS, LILACS, and PubMed databases. The results demonstrate that the application of the ABCDE/XABCDE protocols, combined with the use of the Glasgow Coma Scale, airway management, hemodynamic support, and prevention of secondary injuries, leads to better clinical outcomes. It is concluded that continuous training, updated protocols, and patient-centered care enhance patient safety and improve the quality of care provided.