You suspect that an unhelmeted male patient who was ejected from a motorcycle may have a basilar skull fracture. As you perform the secondary assessment, which finding would reinforce this suspicion?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Clear fluid from the nose or ear is an indication of a possible cerebrospinal fluid leak, which can occur with a basilar skull fracture. Blood coming from the canals of both ear and nose may also be a sign of skull fracture, but the presence of clear fluid is more specific. Dilation and sluggish response of the pupil may indicate a head injury, but it is not specific to a basilar skull fracture. Paralysis of a limb would not be directly related to a basilar skull fracture.

You Suspect That an Unhelmeted Male Patient Who Was Ejected