Question

A young adult who is hit with a baseball bat on the temporal area of the left skull is conscious when admitted to the ED and is transferred to the Neurological Unit to be monitored for signs of closed head injury. Which assessment finding is indicative of a developing epidural hematoma?

Answer 1

The assessment finding indicative of a developing epidural hematoma is the presence of a lucid interval followed by a sudden decline in consciousness.

Step-by-step explanation:

The assessment finding indicative of a developing epidural hematoma in a young adult hit with a baseball bat on the temporal area of the left skull would be the presence of a lucid interval followed by a sudden decline in consciousness. A lucid interval refers to a period of time where the individual appears normal and conscious after the initial head injury. However, as the epidural hematoma develops and blood accumulates between the brain and the interior of the skull, it will start to exert increasing pressure on the brain, leading to symptoms such as confusion, drowsiness, headache, and eventually a decline in consciousness.

It is important to note that while this assessment finding suggests a developing epidural hematoma, it is crucial for the individual to receive immediate medical attention for proper diagnosis and treatment.