Which of the following findings in the patient who has
sustained a head injury indicate increasing intracranial pressure
(ICP)?
a) Widened pulse pressure
Additional signs of increasing ICP include increasing systolic blood
pressure, bradycardia, rapid respirations, and rapid rise in body
temperature.
b) Increased pulse
Bradycardia, slowing of the pulse, is an indication of increasing ICP in
the head-injured patient.
c) Decreased respirations
Rapid respiration is an indication of increasing ICP in the head-injured
patient.
d) Decreased body temperature
A rapid rise in body temperature is regarded as unfavorable because
hyperthermia may indicate brain stem damage, a poor prognostic sign.
sustained a head injury indicate increasing intracranial pressure
(ICP)?
a) Widened pulse pressure
Additional signs of increasing ICP include increasing systolic blood
pressure, bradycardia, rapid respirations, and rapid rise in body
temperature.
b) Increased pulse
Bradycardia, slowing of the pulse, is an indication of increasing ICP in
the head-injured patient.
c) Decreased respirations
Rapid respiration is an indication of increasing ICP in the head-injured
patient.
d) Decreased body temperature
A rapid rise in body temperature is regarded as unfavorable because
hyperthermia may indicate brain stem damage, a poor prognostic sign.