Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) Practice Exam

Which of the following is a common symptom of an epidural hematoma?

1. Persistent vomiting

2. Brief period of unconsciousness

3. Unequal pupil size

4. Difficulty swallowing

The correct answer is: Brief period of unconsciousness

A brief period of unconsciousness is commonly associated with an epidural hematoma due to the mechanism of injury and the nature of the condition. An epidural hematoma typically occurs following a head trauma, such as a skull fracture, that causes arterial bleeding between the dura mater and the inner table of the skull. This bleeding can lead to a rapid increase in intracranial pressure, which may cause a patient to lose consciousness transiently after the initial injury. Following this brief loss of consciousness, patients may experience a lucid interval where they seem fine, but symptoms can rapidly progress as the hematoma expands. This characteristic is a key clinical feature that healthcare professionals look for when assessing head injuries. The other symptoms listed, while they may occur in the context of other neurological injuries or complications, are not hallmark signs of epidural hematomas specifically.