Free BCEN Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) Practice Question

The correct answer is airway compromise requiring immediate intubation. The patient's presentation strongly suggests a Le Fort III fracture, which involves complete separation of the facial bones from the cranial base. This severe maxillofacial trauma can lead to rapid airway obstruction due to bleeding, edema, and mechanical displacement of structures.

While CT imaging is crucial for definitive diagnosis and surgical planning, it is not the primary concern in this scenario. The patient's respiratory distress indicates an impending airway emergency that requires immediate intervention.

Although controlling hemorrhage is important in maxillofacial trauma, the description doesn't indicate active severe bleeding that would take precedence over airway management.

While clear fluid dripping from the nose suggests a cerebrospinal fluid leak due to a dural tear, addressing this is not the most urgent concern when faced with potential airway compromise. Management of such leaks typically occurs after airway stabilization and complete trauma evaluation.