The nurse is caring for a patient who was admitted the previous day with a basilar skull fracture after a motor vehicle crash. Which assessment finding is most important to report to the health care provider?
a. Complaint of severe headache
b. Large contusion behind left ear
c. Bilateral periorbital ecchymosis
d. Temperature of 101.4° F (38.6° C)
ANS: D
Patients who have basilar skull fractures are at risk for meningitis, so the elevated temperature should be reported to the health care provider. The other findings are typical of a patient with a basilar skull fracture.
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