Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) Practice Test

Cerebrospinal fluid leaking from the ears or nose is suspicious for what condition?

1. Skull fracture

2. Exposure to toxins

3. Stroke

4. Meningitis

The correct answer is: Skull fracture

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaking from the ears or nose is often indicative of a skull fracture, particularly a basal skull fracture. This type of fracture can disrupt the barriers that normally contain the CSF within the cranial cavity, leading to leakage. When CSF escapes through the nasal or auditory passages, it can often be accompanied by other signs of head trauma, such as bruising or the presence of blood. This symptom is clinically significant as it increases the risk of meningitis and other complications, highlighting the importance of immediate medical assessment in such cases. In contrast, while exposure to toxins can lead to various symptoms, it does not typically result in CSF leakage. Stroke symptoms are primarily neurological and do not involve CSF leaking from the ears or nose either. Meningitis itself involves infection of the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, but it does not cause CSF to leak externally in the way that a fracture can. Thus, the condition most commonly associated with this specific symptom is indeed a skull fracture.