A nurse has received report on a client who has a basilar skull fracture. Which of the following findings should the nurse anticipate with this client?
Pooling of blood and edema around the eyes
Ability to recall how the injury occurred
Bruising over the mastoid process
Chvostek’s sign
The Correct Answer is A
A. Pooling of blood and edema around the eyes: Basilar skull fractures can lead to leakage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) into the surrounding tissues, resulting in periorbital ecchymosis, also known as raccoon eyes, due to pooling of blood and edema around the eyes. This finding is characteristic of basilar skull fractures and is caused by disruption of the meninges and subsequent CSF leakage into the soft tissues of the face.
B. Ability to recall how the injury occurred: Memory loss regarding the events surrounding the injury, known as post-traumatic amnesia, is common with basilar skull fractures. This amnesia occurs due to the impact of the injury on the brain and may involve retrograde amnesia (loss of memory of events leading up to the injury) and anterograde amnesia (loss of memory of events occurring after the injury).
C. Bruising over the mastoid process: Bruising over the mastoid process, known as Battle sign, is associated with basilar skull fractures. Battle sign results from blood accumulation (hematoma) in the mastoid region behind the ear due to fracture-related injury to the middle meningeal artery or other blood vessels. This finding typically develops 24-48 hours after the injury.
D. Chvostek’s sign: Chvostek's sign is a clinical manifestation of hypocalcemia, not basilar skull fractures. It is elicited by tapping the facial nerve (facial nerve spasm) and is indicative of neuromuscular irritability due to decreased calcium levels. Chvostek's sign is not directly related to basilar skull fractures.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A) "Pentoxifylline can be administered to help the platelets from sticking together and occluding the vessels": Pentoxifylline is a medication used to improve blood flow by decreasing the viscosity of blood. However, it is not typically used to treat mitral valve stenosis. This statement does not accurately reflect treatment options for this condition.
B) "A heparin bolus is administered and followed with a continuous infusion to help keep the blood thinner": Heparin is an anticoagulant used to prevent blood clot formation, but it is not a treatment for mitral valve stenosis itself. While anticoagulants may be used in certain situations with mitral valve stenosis (such as in the setting of atrial fibrillation), they do not directly address the underlying valve narrowing.
C) "A flexible catheter will be inserted into a vessel of the arm, neck, or groin and advanced to the heart to dilate a narrowed or occluded artery": This statement describes a procedure known as percutaneous transluminal mitral valvuloplasty (PTMV), which is a minimally invasive intervention used to treat mitral valve stenosis. During this procedure, a catheter with a deflated balloon on its tip is inserted into a vessel and guided to the heart, where the balloon is inflated to widen the narrowed valve.
D) "A small catheter with a balloon on the end is threaded into a vessel in the groin and advanced to the heart where the balloon will be inflated, and the narrowed valve will be dilated": This statement accurately describes balloon valvuloplasty, which is a common procedure used to treat mitral valve stenosis. By inflating the balloon within the narrowed valve, the procedure aims to widen the valve opening, thus improving blood flow through the heart.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Rheumatoid arthritis: Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition characterized by chronic inflammation of the joints. Some research suggests a possible link between autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and Meniere's disease. Autoimmune conditions can affect the inner ear, leading to vestibular dysfunction and contributing to the development of Meniere's disease.
B. Bacterial pneumonia: Bacterial pneumonia is a respiratory infection caused by bacterial pathogens. There is no direct association between bacterial pneumonia and an increased risk of developing Meniere's disease. Meniere's disease primarily affects the inner ear and is not related to respiratory infections.
C. Macular degeneration: Macular degeneration is a degenerative eye disease that affects the central portion of the retina. There is no known association between macular degeneration and an increased risk of developing Meniere's disease. These conditions affect different parts of the body and are not related in terms of etiology or risk factors.
D. Osteoporosis: Osteoporosis is a condition characterized by loss of bone density, leading to an increased risk of fractures. There is no direct association between osteoporosis and an increased risk of developing Meniere's disease. These conditions affect different systems in the body and are not known to be related.
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