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NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A nurse in the emergency department is caring for a client who has an epidural hematoma following a motor-vehicle crash. Which of the following is an expected finding for this client?
A. Drainage of clear fluid from the ears
Drainage of clear fluid from the ears is not an expected finding for a client who has an epidural hematoma, but rather a sign of a basilar skull fracture, which is a different type of head injury. The clear fluid is cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which leaks from the brain through the fractured skull.
B. Alternating periods of alertness and unconsciousness
Alternating periods of alertness and unconsciousness is an expected finding for a client who has an epidural hematoma, because it indicates a rapid increase in intracranial pressure (ICP) due to bleeding between the dura mater and the skull. The client may have a brief loss of consciousness at the time of injury, followed by a lucid interval, and then a rapid deterioration of mental status.
C. Narrowing pulse pressure
Narrowing pulse pressure is not an expected finding for a client who has an epidural hematoma, but rather a sign of increased ICP due to any cause. Pulse pressure is the difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure. As ICP rises, it compresses the brainstem and causes bradycardia and hypertension, resulting in a decreased pulse pressure.
D. Extensive bruising in the mastoid area
Extensive bruising in the mastoid area is not an expected finding for a client who has an epidural hematoma, but rather a sign of a basilar skull fracture, which is a different type of head injury. The bruising is also known as Batle's sign, and it occurs due to blood pooling behind the ear.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - ATI Med Surg Custom N235 Final Summer 2023 Proctored Exam. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
Choice A: Drainage of clear fluid from the ears is not an expected finding for a client who has an epidural hematoma, but rather a sign of a basilar skull fracture, which is a different type of head injury. The clear fluid is cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which leaks from the brain through the fractured skull.
Choice B: Alternating periods of alertness and unconsciousness is an expected finding for a client who has an epidural hematoma, because it indicates a rapid increase in intracranial pressure (ICP) due to bleeding between the dura mater and the skull. The client may have a brief loss of consciousness at the time of injury, followed by a lucid interval, and then a rapid deterioration of mental status.
Choice C: Narrowing pulse pressure is not an expected finding for a client who has an epidural hematoma, but rather a sign of increased ICP due to any cause. Pulse pressure is the difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure. As ICP rises, it compresses the brainstem and causes bradycardia and hypertension, resulting in a decreased pulse pressure.
Choice D: Extensive bruising in the mastoid area is not an expected finding for a client who has an epidural hematoma, but rather a sign of a basilar skull fracture, which is a different type of head injury. The bruising is also known as Batle's sign, and it occurs due to blood pooling behind the ear.
Similar Questions
A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing hypovolemic shock. Which of the following blood products should the nurse anticipate administering to this client?
A. Packed RBCs
Reason: Packed RBCs are indicated for clients who have hypovolemic shock due to blood loss, as they increase the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood and restore the blood volume.
B. Cryoprecipitates
Reason: Cryoprecipitates are indicated for clients who have hemophilia or von Willebrand disease, as they contain clotting factors that help stop bleeding.
C. Albumin
Reason: Albumin is indicated for clients who have hypovolemic shock due to fluid loss, such as from burns or ascites, as it increases the plasma oncotic pressure and draws fluid into the vascular space.
D. Platelets
Reason: Platelets are indicated for clients who have thrombocytopenia or platelet dysfunction, as they help prevent or control bleeding.
Full Explanation
Choice A Reason: Packed RBCs are indicated for clients who have hypovolemic shock due to blood loss, as they increase the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood and restore the blood volume.
Choice B Reason: Cryoprecipitates are indicated for clients who have hemophilia or von Willebrand disease, as they contain clotting factors that help stop bleeding.
Choice C Reason: Albumin is indicated for clients who have hypovolemic shock due to fluid loss, such as from burns or ascites, as it increases the plasma oncotic pressure and draws fluid into the vascular space.
Choice D Reason: Platelets are indicated for clients who have thrombocytopenia or platelet dysfunction, as they help prevent or control bleeding.
A nurse is caring for a client who has a disposable three-chamber chest tube in place. Which of the following findings should indicate to the nurse that the client is experiencing a complication?
A. Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber
Reason: Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber indicates an air leak in the chest tube system, which can compromise the drainage of air and fluid from the pleural space and impair lung expansion.
B. Occasional bubbling in the water-seal chamber
Reason: Occasional bubbling in the water-seal chamber is normal and expected, as it indicates that air is being removed from the pleural space.
C. Fluctuations in the fluid level in the water-seal chamber
Reason: Fluctuations in the fluid level in the water-seal chamber are normal and expected, as they reflect changes in intrathoracic pressure during inspiration and expiration.
D. Constant bubbling in the suction-control chamber
Reason: Constant bubbling in the suction-control chamber is normal and expected, as it indicates that suction is being applied to the chest tube system.
Full Explanation
Choice A Reason: Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber indicates an air leak in the chest tube system, which can compromise the drainage of air and fluid from the pleural space and impair lung expansion.
Choice B Reason: Occasional bubbling in the water-seal chamber is normal and expected, as it indicates that air is being removed from the pleural space.
Choice C Reason: Fluctuations in the fluid level in the water-seal chamber are normal and expected, as they reflect changes in intrathoracic pressure during inspiration and expiration.
Choice D Reason: Constant bubbling in the suction-control chamber is normal and expected, as it indicates that suction is being applied to the chest tube system.
A nurse is preparing to administer 40 mEq of potassium chloride in 45% sodium chloride (NaCl) 500 mL IV to infuse 10 mEq/hr. The nurse should set the IV pump to deliver how many mL/hr? (Round the answer to the nearest whole number. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.)
Full Explanation
Step 1: Determine the total time required to infuse 40 mEq at a rate of 10 mEq/hr.
40 mEq ÷ 10 mEq/hr = 4 hours
Result: 4 hours
Step 2: Determine the infusion rate in mL/hr.
500 mL ÷ 4 hours = 125 mL/hr
Result: 125 mL/hr
The nurse should set the IV pump to deliver 125 mL/hr.