Question

A client arrives at the ER after slipping on a patch of ice and hitting her head. A CT scan of the head shows a collection of blood between the skull and dura mater. Which type of head injury does this finding suggest?

A. Subdural hematoma
B. Subarachnoid hemorrhage
C. Epidural hematoma
D. Contusion

Answer 1

A collection of blood between the skull and dura mater is indicative of an epidural hematoma, a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention.

Step-by-step explanation:

The finding of a collection of blood between the skull and dura mater following a slip on ice and a subsequent head injury suggests that the client has an epidural hematoma. This is consistent with damage to an arterial branch, likely the middle meningeal artery, due to the traumatic impact. An epidural hematoma is a medical emergency because the accumulating blood can quickly increase pressure on the brain, leading to serious neurological complications or death if not promptly treated.