Question

The young boy was involved in a motor vehicle accident and was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit with changes in level of consciousness and a high-pitched cry. Which are late signs of increased intracranial pressure? Select all that apply.

a. The child's toes are pointed downward, his head and neck are arched backward, and his arms and legs are extended.
b. The child's heart rate is 56 beats per minute.
c. The child's pupils are fixed and dilated.
d. The young boy was involved in a motor vehicle accident and was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit with changes in the level of consciousness and a high-pitched cry.

Answer 1

Late signs of increased intracranial pressure include decerebrate posturing (toes pointed downward, head and neck arched backward, arms and legs extended) and fixed and dilated pupils.

Step-by-step explanation:

Late signs of increased intracranial pressure include:

• The child's toes are pointed downward, his head and neck are arched backward, and his arms and legs are extended. This posture is known as decerebrate posturing and indicates severe brainstem dysfunction.
• The child's pupils are fixed and dilated. Dilated pupils suggest increased intracranial pressure affecting the cranial nerves.

In this case, option C is a late sign of increased intracranial pressure. The child's level of consciousness changes and high-pitched cry are also indicative of increased intracranial pressure.