Following a fall, a patient is brought to the emergency department. There was a brief loss of consciousness; the patient complains of headache, has vomited twice, has a dilated pupil on the same side as a hematoma over the temporal area, and is currently having a seizure. The nurse prepares to care for this patient based on which evaluation of this assessment?

Question

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The patient's symptoms suggest an epidural hematoma, which is a medical emergency that requires immediate surgical intervention to relieve pressure on the brain. The dilated pupil on the same side as the hematoma is a sign of increased intracranial pressure, which can be life-threatening if not treated promptly. The seizure also indicates the severity of the head injury.

Following a Fall, a Patient Is Brought to the Emergency