Question

A nurse is assessing a patient who was hit at the base of the skull with a blunt instrument causing a skull fracture. What assessment finding does this nurse anticipate during the inspection?

a. Tinnitus, vertigo, and dizziness
b. Clear drainage from the ear and nose
c. Loss of hearing and smell
d. Purulent drainage from the ear and bloody drainage from the nose

Answer 1

A nurse would anticipate finding purulent drainage from the ear and bloody drainage from the nose during inspection of a patient who sustained a skull fracture at the base of the skull.

Step-by-step explanation:

When assessing a patient with a skull fracture at the base of the skull, a nurse would anticipate finding purulent drainage from the ear and bloody drainage from the nose during inspection.