NZQA registered unit standard
26890 version 1
Page 1 of 4
Title
Describe effects of brain injury on physical function, and implement
strategies to support a person after brain injury
Level
4
Credits
10
Purpose
People credited with this unit standard are able to: describe the
effects of brain injury on physical function, and strategies to
support a person to improve physical function after brain injury;
implement strategies to support a person to improve physical
function after brain injury; and maintain, clean, and store
equipment and items used by a person with impairment of
physical function after brain injury.
Classification
Health, Disability, and Aged Support > Brain Injury Support
Available grade
Achieved
Explanatory notes
1
Codes and standards relevant to this unit standard include:
Health and Disability Commissioner (The Code of Health and Disability Services
Consumers' Rights) Regulations 1996;
NZS 8158:2003 Home and Community Support Sector Standard.
2
References include:
Accident Compensation Corporation. (2006). Traumatic brain injury: Diagnosis, acute
management and rehabilitation. Wellington: New Zealand Guidelines Group for ACC,
available at http://www.acc.co.nz (search for ACC2404);
Centre for Neuro Skills Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) available at
http://www.neuroskills.com/assess.shtml, and http://www.shoestringgraphics.com/CP2020/medtech/glossary/glasgow.htm.
3
Support should aim to: maintain, improve, or restore a consumer's independence
and/or interdependence; utilise the consumer's existing strengths; and where
possible, utilise the resources of the local community.
4
Definitions
Activity refers to the execution of a task or action by an individual.
Organisation’s policies and procedures are the policies and procedures of the
employing organisation of the candidate and include ethical codes, standards, and
other organisational requirements.
Others refer to support workers, family/whānau, people in the community, peers, and
colleagues.
Participation refers to an individual’s involvement in life situations.
Community Support Services ITO Limited
SSB Code 101814
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
26890 version 1
Page 2 of 4
Service plan is a generic term that covers the individual or group plans (which may
also be referred to by other names) that are developed by service providers for
people receiving support (and may include their family/whānau as appropriate).
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Describe the effects of brain injury on physical function.
Evidence requirements
1.1
The effects of brain injury on physical function are described in terms of
resulting impairments.
Range
1.2
The effects of brain injury on physical function are described in terms of their
impact on the person.
Range
1.3
resulting impairments may include but are not limited to –
weakness, paresis, increased/decreased tone, balance and gait
abnormalities, sensory impairment, co-ordination problems,
swallowing difficulties, fatigue, incontinence, headache, nausea,
dizziness, vestibular dysfunction, epilepsy, pain;
evidence is required of a minimum of six resulting impairments.
mobility, sensory impairment, swallowing and nutrition, continence;
activity, participation.
Risks and/or vulnerability arising from impairment of physical function are
described in terms of the safety of the person after brain injury and others.
Outcome 2
Describe strategies to support a person to improve physical function after brain injury.
Range
evidence is required for a minimum of two strategies.
Evidence requirements
2.1
Strategies to support a person with impairment of physical function after brain
injury are described in relation to minimising risks to the safety of the person
and others.
Range
2.2
risks may include but are not limited to – physical vulnerability.
Strategies to support a person with mobility difficulties after brain injury are
described in accordance with the person’s service plan.
Range
strategies may include but are not limited to – transfers, use of
mobility aids, use of splinting, strengthening, passive stretches,
positioning, prompting, supervision, exercise programmes.
Community Support Services ITO Limited
SSB Code 101814
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
2.3
Strategies to support a person with sensory impairment after brain injury are
described in accordance with the person’s service plan.
Range
2.4
swallowing difficulties may include but are not limited to –
aspiration, oromotor function, choking;
strategies may include but are not limited to – education,
managing the consistency and texture of food, positioning,
supervision, prompting, nutritional supplements, therapy.
Strategies to support a person whose nutrition management is affected by the
effects of brain injury are described in accordance with the person’s service
plan.
Range
2.6
sensory impairment may include but is not limited to – visual,
hearing, altered sensation, taste, smell;
strategies may include but are not limited to – environmental
management, education, use of supportive devices, supervision,
therapy.
Strategies to support a person with swallowing difficulties after brain injury are
described in accordance with the person’s service plan.
Range
2.5
26890 version 1
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effects of brain injury may include but are not limited to – appetite
changes, impulsivity, side effects of medication, satiety, taste
changes, oromotor dysfunction;
strategies may include but are not limited to – prompting to eat,
weight management, nutritional supplements.
Strategies to support a person with continence management after brain injury
are described in accordance with the person’s service plan.
Range
strategies may include but are not limited to – prompting, routine,
continence plan, use of continence products, orientation, fluid and
diet management, education, medication.
Outcome 3
Implement strategies to support a person to improve physical function after brain injury.
Range
evidence is required for a minimum of two strategies for two people with two
different conditions.
Evidence requirements
3.1
Strategies to support a person with impairment of physical function after brain
injury are implemented in accordance with the person’s service plan.
Community Support Services ITO Limited
SSB Code 101814
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
26890 version 1
Page 4 of 4
Outcome 4
Maintain, clean, and store equipment and items used by a person with impairment of
physical function after brain injury.
Evidence requirements
4.1
Equipment and items used by a person with impairment of physical function
after brain injury are maintained, cleaned, and stored in accordance with the
manufacturer's instructions, the person’s service plan, and the organisation’s
policies and procedures.
may include but is not limited to – batteries charged, safety
checks, cushions cleaned, hygiene maintained.
Range
Planned review date
31 December 2016
Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process
Version Date
Last Date for Assessment
Registration
1
19 November 2010
N/A
Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP) reference
0024
This AMAP can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA, or
an inter-institutional body with delegated authority for quality assurance, before they can
report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading
to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by
NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and
which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that
applies to those standards.
Consent requirements and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this
standard are outlined in the Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP). The
AMAP also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations
wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for
tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact the Community Support Services ITO Limited
enquiries@careerforce.org.nz if you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit
standard.
Community Support Services ITO Limited
SSB Code 101814
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016