Which intervention is vital for a nurse to include when caring for a child post-head injury?

Assessing for clear drainage from the nose is a crucial intervention when caring for a child post-head injury because it helps to detect potential cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage, which can indicate significant complications such as a skull fracture. If clear fluid drains from the nose, it may suggest that the protective layers surrounding the brain have been compromised, increasing the risk of infection and other neurological issues.

Monitoring vital signs is important but not necessarily the most critical focus; while changes in vital signs can indicate worsening conditions, assessing for CSF leakage directly addresses a specific potential complication associated with head injuries. Ensuring the child is NPO until they are alert is a standard precaution to prevent aspiration if the child requires emergency surgery, but immediate assessment for clear drainage is a more direct response to specific signs of serious injury. Providing pain relief is also important for comfort but should not take precedence over assessing for signs of more serious complications. Thus, checking for clear nasal drainage is the most vital intervention in this context.