Question

The nurse is alerted to possible acute subdural hematoma in the patient who

a. has a linear skull fracture crossing a major artery
b. has focal symptoms of brain damage with no recollection of a head injury
c. develops decreased LOC and a headache within 48 hours of head injury
d. has an immediate loss of consciousness with a brief lucid interval followed by decreasing LOC

Answer 1

The nurse should be alerted to a possible acute subdural hematoma in a patient who develops a decreased level of consciousness and a headache within 48 hours of a head injury.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should be alerted to possible acute subdural hematoma in a patient who develops decreased level of consciousness (LOC) and a headache within 48 hours of a head injury. In an acute subdural hematoma, bleeding occurs between the dura mater and the surface of the brain. The symptoms associated with a hematoma may not be apparent immediately following the injury, but if untreated, blood accumulation will exert increasing pressure on the brain and can result in death within a few hours.