The nurse is caring for a 2-year-old girl with a subdural hematoma of the temporal area as a result of falling out of bed and notices that she has a runny nose. The nurse should:

The correct answer is C. Test the discharge for sugar. (A) The nasal discharge could be due to a cold. It is necessary to gather additional assessment data to identify a possible cerebrospinal fluid leak. (B) If the discharge is cerebrospinal fluid, it would not be safe to encourage the girl to blow her (C) Cerebrospinal fluid is…

Physiological Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential

Question

Options

ACall the doctor immediately
BHelp her to blow her nose carefully
CTest the discharge for sugar
DTurn her to her side

How the community answered

(28 responses)

A
29% (8)
B
18% (5)
C
46% (13)
D
7% (2)

Explanation

(A) The nasal discharge could be due to a cold. It is necessary to gather additional assessment data to identify a possible cerebrospinal fluid leak. (B) If the discharge is cerebrospinal fluid, it would not be safe to encourage the girl to blow her (C) Cerebrospinal fluid is positive for sugar; mucus is not. (D) Turning her to her side will have no effect on her "runny nose." It is necessary to gather further assessment data.

Topics

#subdural hematoma#CSF rhinorrhea#glucose testing#nasal discharge

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