Final answer:
Late signs of increased intracranial pressure (ICP) can include blurred or double vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, breathing problems, loss of consciousness, and cardiac arrest. These symptoms may indicate severe brain injury and require immediate medical attention. Conditions like meningitis and encephalitis can also cause increased ICP with potentially fatal outcomes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Late Signs of Increased Intracranial Pressure (ICP)
The late, potentially deadly signs of increased intracranial pressure (ICP) include severe neurological deficits that may manifest as blurred or double vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty in swallowing, and breathing problems. These symptoms reflect the progression of brain injury due to sustained high pressure within the skull, which can lead to herniation and eventual brain stem compression. The most ominous signs indicating a critical elevation in ICP are loss of consciousness and cardiac arrest, both of which require immediate medical intervention.
Conditions such as meningitis, encephalitis, and meningoencephalitis, which involve inflammation of the brain and its surrounding membranes, can lead to increased ICP. Symptoms specific to these conditions include severe headache, fever, photophobia, stiff neck, convulsions, and confusion. Notably, when the brain or spinal cord swells within the inflexible confines of the skull or spinal canal, it can cause permanent damage to nerve tissues, potentially resulting in a stroke or cerebrovascular accident (CVA). Without prompt treatment, the outcome may be often fatal.