The nurse is assessing a client after a motor vehicle accident and notes the presence of ecchymosis in the left flank area.The nurse would interpret this finding as which of the following?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Ecchymosis in the left flank area is a positive Grey Turner's sign, indicating retroperitoneal bleeding, which could be caused by trauma from the motor vehicle accident. Costovertebral angle tenderness is a pain response to percussion at the back where the 12th rib meets the spine, indicating possible kidney inflammation or infection. Clotting dysfunction may cause abnormal bleeding symptoms such as easy bruising, prolonged bleeding, or excessive bleeding after an injury or surgery. Ecchymosis in the flank area is not a precursor to hematuria, which is blood in the urine.

The Nurse Is Assessing a Client After a Motor Vehicle