Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Practice Exam

Which sign would most likely indicate a serious head injury?

1. A brief loss of consciousness

2. Persistent headache

3. Cerebrospinal fluid from the nose

4. Minor laceration on the scalp

The correct answer is: Cerebrospinal fluid from the nose

The presence of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaking from the nose is a significant indicator of a serious head injury. This situation typically suggests that there is a fracture of the skull at the base and that the protective layers covering the brain, specifically the dura mater, have been compromised. In such cases, the brain's protective mechanisms are compromised, which can lead to serious complications including infection or further trauma. Leaking CSF can also indicate potential damage to the brain itself, as the fluid surrounds and cushions the brain. Any leakage of cerebrospinal fluid outside the central nervous system should be treated as a medical emergency, as it increases the risk of conditions such as meningitis. In contrast, while a brief loss of consciousness, a persistent headache, or a minor laceration on the scalp can all be associated with head injuries, they do not carry the same level of immediacy or seriousness in terms of the threat to life and brain function as the presence of cerebrospinal fluid leaking from the nose. These other symptoms can suggest a head injury but do not indicate the same level of risk or damage to the central nervous system.