A nurse in the emergency department is caring for a client who has an epidural hematoma following a motor-vehicle crash. Which of the following is an expected finding for this client?

Drainage of clear ﬂuid from the ears

Alternating periods of alertness and unconsciousness

Narrowing pulse pressure

Extensive bruising in the mastoid area

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Choice A: Drainage of clear ﬂuid from the ears is not an expected finding for a client who has an epidural hematoma, but rather a sign of a basilar skull fracture, which is a diﬀerent type of head injury. The clear ﬂuid is cerebrospinal ﬂuid (CSF), which leaks from the brain through the fractured skull.

Choice B: Alternating periods of alertness and unconsciousness is an expected finding for a client who has an epidural hematoma, because it indicates a rapid increase in intracranial pressure (ICP) due to bleeding between the dura mater and the skull. The client may have a brief loss of consciousness at the time of injury, followed by a lucid interval, and then a rapid deterioration of mental status.

Choice C: Narrowing pulse pressure is not an expected finding for a client who has an epidural hematoma, but rather a sign of increased ICP due to any cause. Pulse pressure is the diﬀerence between systolic and diastolic blood pressure. As ICP rises, it compresses the brainstem and causes bradycardia and hypertension, resulting in a decreased pulse pressure.

Choice D: Extensive bruising in the mastoid area is not an expected finding for a client who has an epidural hematoma, but rather a sign of a basilar skull fracture, which is a diﬀerent type of head injury. The bruising is also known as Batle's sign, and it occurs due to blood pooling behind the ear.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A Reason: Albumin 25% is not a medication that the nurse should plan to administer for a client who is experiencing Cushing's triad following a subdural hematoma. Albumin 25% is a colloid solution that increases the oncotic pressure and draws ﬂuid from the interstitial space into the intravascular space, which can worsen the intracranial pressure by increasing the cerebral blood ﬂow and edema.

Choice B Reason: Dextran 70 is not a medication that the nurse should plan to administer for a client who is experiencing Cushing's triad following a subdural hematoma. Dextran 70 is a plasma expander that increases the blood volume and viscosity, which can also worsen the intracranial pressure by increasing the cerebral blood ﬂow and edema.

Choice C Reason: Mannitol 25% is a medication that the nurse should plan to administer for a client who is experiencing Cushing's triad following a subdural hematoma. Mannitol 25% is an osmotic diuretic that reduces the intracranial pressure by creating an osmotic gradient and drawing ﬂuid from the brain tissue into the blood vessels, which can then be excreted by the kidneys. The nurse should monitor the urine output, serum osmolality, and electrolytes when administering mannitol 25%.

Choice D Reason: Hydroxyethyl starch is not a medication that the nurse should plan to administer for a client who is experiencing Cushing's triad following a subdural hematoma. Hydroxyethyl starch is another plasma expander that has similar eﬀects as dextran 70, and can also increase the risk of coagulopathy and renal failure.

Correct Answer is ["100"]

Explanation

To estimate the percentage of body surface area burned using the Rule of Nines, follow these guidelines:

Head and Neck: 9%
Each Arm: 9% (right arm) + 9% (left arm) = 18%
Front of Torso: 18%
Back of Torso: 18%
Each Leg: 18% (right leg) + 18% (left leg) = 36%
Genital Area: 1%

Now, add up the percentages of the burned areas:

9% (head and neck) + 18% (each arm) + 18% (front of torso) + 18% (back of torso) + 36% (each leg) + 1% (genital area) = 100%

So, the nurse should estimate that the client has burned 100% of their body surface area.

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A nurse in the emergency department is caring for a client who has an epidural hematoma following a motor-vehicle crash. Which of the following is an expected finding for this client?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing Cushing's triad following a subdural hematoma. Which of the following medications should the nurse plan to administer?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Correct Answer is ["100"]

Explanation

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