Question

A nurse in an ICU is assessing a client who has a traumatic brain injury. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as a component of Cushing's triad?

A) Hypotension
B) Bradycardia
C) Respiratory depression
D) Widening pulse pressure

Answer 1

Cushing's triad includes bradycardia, respiratory depression, and widening pulse pressure. It is a clinical syndrome with signs that indicate raised intracranial pressure in a patient with a traumatic brain injury. Hypotension is not a component of this triad.

Step-by-step explanation:

You asked which of the following findings the nurse should identify as a component of Cushing's triad. Cushing's triad consists of three primary physiological responses that can be seen with increased intracranial pressure: bradycardia, respiratory depression, and widening pulse pressure (an increasing difference between the systolic and diastolic blood pressure). Therefore, the correct answers as components of Cushing's triad from the options provided are: B) Bradycardia, C) Respiratory depression, and D) Widening pulse pressure.

When assessing a patient with a traumatic brain injury, these signs can indicate that the intracranial pressure is reaching dangerous levels, potentially leading to brain herniation if not addressed promptly. Among the options you provided, hypotension is not typically seen as a component of Cushing's triad; instead, the classic sign for blood pressure in this triad is widening pulse pressure.

Answer 2

Cushing's triad includes bradycardia, respiratory depression, and widening pulse pressure. It is a clinical syndrome with signs that indicate raised intracranial pressure in a patient with a traumatic brain injury. Hypotension is not a component of this triad.

Step-by-step explanation:

You asked which of the following findings the nurse should identify as a component of Cushing's triad. Cushing's triad consists of three primary physiological responses that can be seen with increased intracranial pressure: bradycardia, respiratory depression, and widening pulse pressure (an increasing difference between the systolic and diastolic blood pressure). Therefore, the correct answers as components of Cushing's triad from the options provided are: B) Bradycardia, C) Respiratory depression, and D) Widening pulse pressure.

When assessing a patient with a traumatic brain injury, these signs can indicate that the intracranial pressure is reaching dangerous levels, potentially leading to brain herniation if not addressed promptly. Among the options you provided, hypotension is not typically seen as a component of Cushing's triad; instead, the classic sign for blood pressure in this triad is widening pulse pressure.