Final answer:
A basilar skull fracture resulting in Battle's sign would typically show reddish-brown discoloration behind the ear. Such fractures can be life-threatening as they may involve damage to arteries, nerves, the brainstem, and lead to cerebrospinal fluid leakage and the risk of infection.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a child experiences a basilar skull fracture resulting in Battle's sign, the nurse should expect to observe a) Reddish-brown discoloration behind the ear. Battle's sign is one of the physical indicators suggesting a fracture at the base of the skull, commonly appearing as bruising around the mastoid process behind the ear. This usually occurs a day or two after the injury.
Basilar skull fractures can be life-threatening because they are associated with the risk of damaging major arteries and nerves that pass through the basal foramina, as well as possible brainstem injuries and leakage of cerebrospinal fluid, which can lead to infection like meningitis. In the context of broader head injuries, it's crucial to understand that a blow to the head may produce a contrecoup fracture of the basilar portion of the occipital bone on the base of the skull. This type of fracture may not be directly at the point of impact but rather on the opposite side, due to the brain moving within the skull.