Battle's sign is most suggestive of which skull fracture?

Master the NCLEX Intracranial Pressure Exam with targeted questions and detailed explanations. Enhance your preparation with our comprehensive test format, practice multiple choice questions, and effective study tips to boost your confidence and exam readiness.

Multiple Choice

Battle's sign is most suggestive of which skull fracture?

Explanation:
Battle's sign signals a basilar skull fracture. The bruise behind the ear comes from bleeding that tracks to the mastoid area when the base of the skull, often involving the temporal bone, is fractured. This type of fracture affects the skull base and can be accompanied by other signs like leakage of CSF from the ear or nose and bruising around the eyes. The presence of postauricular ecchymosis is not typical of injuries confined to the frontal region, and while a temporal bone fracture can occur with basal fractures, the postauricular bruising specifically points to base involvement.

Battle's sign signals a basilar skull fracture. The bruise behind the ear comes from bleeding that tracks to the mastoid area when the base of the skull, often involving the temporal bone, is fractured. This type of fracture affects the skull base and can be accompanied by other signs like leakage of CSF from the ear or nose and bruising around the eyes. The presence of postauricular ecchymosis is not typical of injuries confined to the frontal region, and while a temporal bone fracture can occur with basal fractures, the postauricular bruising specifically points to base involvement.

More Multiple Choice Questions
Subscribe

Get the latest from Passetra

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy