Which of the following is a symptom of a basilar skull fracture?

A basilar skull fracture involves a break at the base of the skull, which may affect cranial nerves and neurological function. Loss of hearing or smell is a direct symptom associated with this type of injury, as the cranial nerves responsible for those senses can be damaged during the fracture. A basilar skull fracture can disrupt the structures of the inner ear and the olfactory pathways, leading to such sensory deficits.

While options like chest pain, abdominal pain, and bright red blood from the nose may indicate other types of trauma or injuries, they are not classic symptoms associated with a basilar skull fracture. Instead, symptoms such as hearing loss or decreased sense of smell specifically point to the involvement of cranial structures at the base of the skull. This understanding is essential when assessing potential head injuries in a clinical or pre-hospital setting.