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 B
Explanation
A. Myopia: Myopia refers to nearsightedness, which is caused by refractive errors in the eye and is not associated with Meniere's disease. Myopia results in difficulty seeing distant objects clearly.
B. Vertigo: Vertigo is a hallmark symptom of Meniere's disease and is caused by an excessive accumulation of endolymph fluid in the inner ear. Vertigo presents as a sensation of spinning or dizziness, often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and imbalance.
C. Photophobia: Photophobia refers to sensitivity to light, which can be associated with various eye conditions but is not a typical manifestation of Meniere's disease. Photophobia may occur in conditions such as migraine headaches or certain eye infections.
D. Presbycusis: Presbycusis refers to age-related hearing loss, which typically occurs gradually over time and is not directly associated with Meniere's disease. Meniere's disease is characterized by sudden episodes of vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus, and a sensation of fullness or pressure in the ear.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Lower back or groin pain: Lower back or groin pain can be an early manifestation of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). This pain may result from pressure exerted by the enlarging aneurysm on surrounding structures or from irritation of nerves as the aneurysm expands. As the aneurysm enlarges, the pain may become more severe and persistent.
B. Hunger after eating: Hunger after eating is not typically associated with an abdominal aortic aneurysm. This symptom may be indicative of various gastrointestinal issues such as peptic ulcer disease or gastritis, but it is not a characteristic manifestation of AAA.
C. Pain in the chest: While AAA can lead to compression of nearby structures, resulting in referred pain, chest pain is not a common early manifestation of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Chest pain is more commonly associated with cardiac issues such as angina or myocardial infarction.
D. Presence of Cullen's sign: Cullen's sign refers to periumbilical bruising, which can occur due to retroperitoneal hemorrhage from a ruptured AAA. However, Cullen's sign is not an early manifestation of an AAA; it is typically observed in more advanced cases or after rupture has occurred.
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