The nurse is assessing a 16-year-old patient with head injuries from a recent motor vehicle accident. Which of the following statements indicates the most important reason for assessing for any drainage from the canal?
1) If the drum has ruptured, there will be purulent drainage.
2) Bloody or clear watery drainage can indicate a basal skull fracture.
3) The auditory canal may be occluded from increased cerumen.
4) There may be occlusion of the canal caused by foreign bodies from the accident.