Acute Brain Injury - A Guide for Family and Friends The
patient’s responses may vary depending on the type of injury or
pressure changes in the brain. Possible responses include:
agitation, confusion, decreased responses and coma. Coma: A
state of unresponsiveness when patients do not speak or follow
commands, and are unaware of their surroundings. The length of
time a patient remains in a coma varies. Patients may also have
problems with speech, vision, or muscle weakness in their arms
or legs.