Which combination is a common sign of intracranial hypertension?

Which combination is a common sign of intracranial hypertension?

• A. Headache, vomiting, decreased consciousness
• B. Nausea only
• C. Fever and chills
• D. rash and pruritus

Answer: (A)

Raising intracranial pressure produces symptoms from pressure on brain tissues and impaired brain function. The most telling pattern is headache with vomiting and a decline in level of consciousness, reflecting both painful stretching of the meninges and the brain’s decreasing ability to maintain function as pressure rises. Headache is a common early sign and can be worsened by activity; vomiting occurs from irritation of the brain’s vomiting center; as pressure increases further, mental status deteriorates. Nausea by itself is nonspecific and can occur for many reasons; fever with chills suggests infection rather than elevated intracranial pressure; rash and pruritus are unrelated to intracranial pressure changes.

Raising intracranial pressure produces symptoms from pressure on brain tissues and impaired brain function. The most telling pattern is headache with vomiting and a decline in level of consciousness, reflecting both painful stretching of the meninges and the brain’s decreasing ability to maintain function as pressure rises. Headache is a common early sign and can be worsened by activity; vomiting occurs from irritation of the brain’s vomiting center; as pressure increases further, mental status deteriorates. Nausea by itself is nonspecific and can occur for many reasons; fever with chills suggests infection rather than elevated intracranial pressure; rash and pruritus are unrelated to intracranial pressure changes.