A patient with nasal trauma has clear, watery fluid dripping from the nose. The nurse performs the halo test, which is positive. What does this positive result indicate?
1. A fracture of the ethmoid or sphenoid sinus
2. The need to suction the patient
3. The presence of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
4. A chyle leak
3
Rationale 1: The fractures involved may cause damage to the dura, but clear nasal drainage is not an indication of a fracture.
Rationale 2: Patients with nasal fracture should not be suctioned as this may introduce microorganisms and cause additional tissue trauma.
Rationale 3: In the halo test, fluid is allowed to drain onto a clean white dressing. If it forms a halo of red-tinged fluid, the test is positive for a CSF leak.
Rationale 4: Chyle leak is a postoperative complication of head and neck cancer.
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