A nurse is caring for a client who has a suspected brain tumor. Which of the following diagnostic tests should the nurse understand is most frequently used to diagnose brain tumors?

Choice A reason: Osmotic diuretics like mannitol remove fluid, not hydrate. They draw water from tissues, reducing brain edema, so providing hydration is the opposite effect, making this incorrect.

Choice B reason: Expanding extracellular fluid volume would worsen edema. Osmotic diuretics reduce fluid in tissues, decreasing ICP, making this incorrect for the medication’s purpose in this scenario.

Choice C reason: Increasing brain cell size would exacerbate ICP. Osmotic diuretics shrink cells by drawing out water, reducing edema, making this incorrect for the medication’s intended effect.

Choice D reason: Osmotic diuretics reduce brain edema by drawing water from tissues into

Choice A reason: Asking the client to blow their nose is contraindicated in basal skull fractures, as it can increase intracranial pressure or force bacteria into the cranial cavity, risking meningitis. The clear drainage may be cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and blowing the nose could exacerbate the fracture-related dural tear.

Choice B reason: Suctioning the nostril is dangerous in basal skull fractures, as it may introduce infection or worsen a dural tear if the drainage is CSF. The negative pressure could disrupt intracranial structures, increasing complications like meningitis or brain herniation, making this an inappropriate first action.

Choice C reason: Testing the drainage for glucose is the priority, as clear nasal drainage in basal skull fractures may indicate CSF leakage due to a dural tear. CSF contains glucose, unlike nasal secretions, and a positive test confirms the need for urgent intervention to prevent infection or further neurological damage.

Choice D reason: Notifying the physician is important but secondary to confirming the nature of the drainage. Testing for glucose first identifies if the fluid is CSF, critical in basal skull fractures due to risks of meningitis or brain injury, ensuring the physician receives accurate, actionable information.