A NP is ending his shift and comes in to re-assess his patient, a seventy six year old woman who was diagnosed with a brain lesion. He notes that the patient appears restless and does not know where she is. Upon further examination, he notes that her pupils are sluggish to react to light and are unequal in size. She is unable to sit up at the side of the bed and her blood pressure has risen to 190/88. What does the NP suspect is occurring?
Explanation
Answer: A - Upon assessing the symptoms of sluggish and unequal pupils, restlessness and change in level of consciousness, increased weakness and rising blood pressure, the NP would suspect early signs of increased intracranial pressure. Late signs of increased intracranial pressure include fixed pupils, profound weakness, an inability to arouse and an increased systolic pressure with Bradycardia.
