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Nursing Knowledge
A skull fracture is a break in one or more of the bones of the skull, usually due to trauma.
Open fractures communicate with the skin through a wound, a sinus, the ear, or the oropharynx, and have a high risk of causing infection.
Closed skull fractures occur when fractures do not break or penetrate the skin. These injuries may heal without intervention. If depressed, they may cause diffuse and extensive edema and neurological changes.
Linear skull fractures are the most common type of skull fracture. They are characterized by a break in the bone with the bone not being moved. There is usually no intervention necessary beyond observation.
Depressed skull fractures occur when the bone gets pressed into the dura. This often requires surgical elevation of the bone, debridement, and repair of the dura.
Basilar skull fractures are the most serious type of skull fracture. They involve a break in the bone at the base of the skull.
Typical signs of a basilar skull fracture include:
The most important symptoms of skull fractures to look out for in trauma patients include:
A skull fracture typically takes 6 to 8 weeks to heal in adults. Healing time can vary depending on the type and severity of the fracture, the patient’s overall health, and other factors.
Treatment for a skull fracture depends on the type and severity of the fracture.
For simple, linear fractures, often no specific intervention is needed other than observation and pain management (analgesics). Activity restriction may be necessary to protect the injury during healing.
Depressed fractures or those with loose bone fragments might require surgery to elevate the bone and remove fragments, especially if they are pressing on the brain.
Throughout the healing process, regular neurological assessments to monitor for brain injury or complications are key.
Answer options:
Correct answer is #4, emergency surgery.
This category is for conditions that are life-threatening and require immediate surgical intervention to prevent further harm or potential loss of life. In the context of a significant skull fracture, immediate surgery might be necessary to alleviate pressure, repair the fracture, or address associated brain injuries.
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