CHAPTER 68:
MANAGEMENT OF
PATIENTS WITH
NEUROLOGIC TRAUMA
(BRUNNER)
[Document subtitle]
[DATE]
[COMPANY NAME]
[Company address]
, Certainly! Here is the list of questions and answers numbered for clarity:
1. The ED nurse is caring for a patient who has been brought in by ambulance after
sustaining a fall at home. What physical assessment finding is suggestive of a basilar skull
fracture?
**A) Epistaxis
B) Periorbital edema
C) Bruising over the mastoid
D) Unilateral facial numbness**
**Answer: C**
**Feedback:** An area of ecchymosis (bruising) may be seen over the mastoid (Battles sign)
in a basilar skull fracture. Numbness, edema, and epistaxis are not directly associated with a
basilar skull fracture.
2. A patient is brought to the trauma center by ambulance after sustaining a high cervical
spinal cord injury 1 hour ago. Endotracheal intubation has been deemed necessary and the
nurse is preparing to assist. What nursing diagnosis should the nurse associate with this
procedure?
**A) Risk for impaired skin integrity
B) Risk for injury
C) Risk for autonomic dysreflexia
D) Risk for suffocation**
**Answer: B**
**Feedback:** Extreme care is taken during intubation to avoid flexing or extending the
neck, which could exacerbate the injury. Intubation does not directly cause autonomic
dysreflexia or skin integrity issues, nor does it pose suffocation risk in this context.
3. The nurse is caring for a patient with increased intracranial pressure (ICP) caused by a
traumatic brain injury. Which of the following clinical manifestations would suggest that the
patient may be experiencing increased brain compression causing brain stem damage?
**A) Hyperthermia
B) Tachycardia
MANAGEMENT OF
PATIENTS WITH
NEUROLOGIC TRAUMA
(BRUNNER)
[Document subtitle]
[DATE]
[COMPANY NAME]
[Company address]
, Certainly! Here is the list of questions and answers numbered for clarity:
1. The ED nurse is caring for a patient who has been brought in by ambulance after
sustaining a fall at home. What physical assessment finding is suggestive of a basilar skull
fracture?
**A) Epistaxis
B) Periorbital edema
C) Bruising over the mastoid
D) Unilateral facial numbness**
**Answer: C**
**Feedback:** An area of ecchymosis (bruising) may be seen over the mastoid (Battles sign)
in a basilar skull fracture. Numbness, edema, and epistaxis are not directly associated with a
basilar skull fracture.
2. A patient is brought to the trauma center by ambulance after sustaining a high cervical
spinal cord injury 1 hour ago. Endotracheal intubation has been deemed necessary and the
nurse is preparing to assist. What nursing diagnosis should the nurse associate with this
procedure?
**A) Risk for impaired skin integrity
B) Risk for injury
C) Risk for autonomic dysreflexia
D) Risk for suffocation**
**Answer: B**
**Feedback:** Extreme care is taken during intubation to avoid flexing or extending the
neck, which could exacerbate the injury. Intubation does not directly cause autonomic
dysreflexia or skin integrity issues, nor does it pose suffocation risk in this context.
3. The nurse is caring for a patient with increased intracranial pressure (ICP) caused by a
traumatic brain injury. Which of the following clinical manifestations would suggest that the
patient may be experiencing increased brain compression causing brain stem damage?
**A) Hyperthermia
B) Tachycardia
