Question

A patient with a traumatic brain injury from a motor vehicle crash is monitored for signs of increased intracranial pressure (ICP). Which sign does the nurse monitor for?

a) Increased heart rate
b) Increased respiratory rate
c) Widening pulse pressure
d) Bradycardia

Answer 1

In patients with a traumatic brain injury, widening pulse pressure is a sign monitored for increased intracranial pressure, alongside other symptoms such as bradycardia, irregular respirations, and changes in consciousness.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse monitoring a patient with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) from a motor vehicle crash for signs of increased intracranial pressure (ICP) would be particularly vigilant for the signs of widening pulse pressure, which is the difference between the systolic and diastolic blood pressures. Widening pulse pressure can be an indication of increased ICP. As intracranial pressure rises, it can cause the diastolic pressure to rise in an attempt to maintain cerebral perfusion, resulting in a widened pulse pressure. Other significant signs of increased ICP can include a slow, bounding pulse (bradycardia), irregular respirations, and changes in the level of consciousness.