A 70-year-old patient is being closely monitored in the neurological critical care unit for a severe closed head injury
After 48 hours, signs of deterioration occur: pupils are small and sluggish, pulse pressure is wid-ening, and heart rate is bradycardic. These clinical findings are evidence of what stage of intra-cranial hypertension?
a. Stage 1
b. Stage 2
c. Stage 3
d. Stage 4
ANS: C
Stage 3 is characterized by decreasing levels of arousal or central neurogenic hyperventilation, widened pulse pressure, bradycardia, and pupils that become small and sluggish. Stage 1 is char-acterized by an ICP that may not change because of the effective compensatory mechanisms, and there may be few symptoms. Stage 2 is characterized by subtle and transient symptoms, includ-ing episodes of confusion, restlessness, drowsiness, and slight pupillary and breathing changes. Stage 4 is characterized by cessation of cerebral blood flow.
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