Testavia Free Nursing Practice Question - QA
Which client's vital signs indicating increased intracranial pressure (ICP) should the nurse report to the healthcare provider?
A. 0800: Heart rate 130 beats/minute, blood pressure 190/90 mm Hg; 1200: heart rate 136 beats/minute, blood pressure 200/100 mm Hg, Kussmaul respirations.
Heart rate 130–136 beats/minute, blood pressure 190–200/90–100 mm Hg, Kussmaul respirations: Although hypertensive and tachycardic, Kussmaul respirations are typically associated with metabolic acidosis rather than ICP. These findings are concerning but not classic for increased ICP.
B. 0800: Heart rate 55 beats/minute, blood pressure 160/70 mm Hg; 1200: heart rate 50 beats/minute, blood pressure 194/70 mm Hg, irregular respirations.
Heart rate 55–50 beats/minute, blood pressure 160/70–194/70 mm Hg, irregular respirations: This pattern reflects Cushing’s triad—bradycardia, hypertension with widening pulse pressure, and irregular respirations—which is a hallmark sign of increased ICP and requires immediate reporting.
C. 0800: Heart rate 110 beats/minute, blood pressure 130/70 mm Hg; 1200: heart rate 100 beats/minute, blood pressure 110/70 mm Hg, shallow respirations.
Heart rate 110–100 beats/minute, blood pressure 130/70–110/70 mm Hg, shallow respirations: Vital signs are not indicative of ICP; shallow respirations may be due to other causes, and the blood pressure trend is decreasing rather than showing hypertension with widening pulse pressure.
D. 0800: Heart rate 70 beats/minute, blood pressure 120/60 mm Hg; 1200: heart rate 100 beats/minute, blood pressure 90/60 mm Hg, rapid respirations.
Heart rate 70–100 beats/minute, blood pressure 120/60–90/60 mm Hg, rapid respirations: These findings suggest hypotension and tachypnea, which are more indicative of hypovolemia or other systemic issues rather than increased ICP.
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Full Explanation
A. Heart rate 130–136 beats/minute, blood pressure 190–200/90–100 mm Hg, Kussmaul respirations: Although hypertensive and tachycardic, Kussmaul respirations are typically associated with metabolic acidosis rather than ICP. These findings are concerning but not classic for increased ICP.
B. Heart rate 55–50 beats/minute, blood pressure 160/70–194/70 mm Hg, irregular respirations: This pattern reflects Cushing’s triad—bradycardia, hypertension with widening pulse pressure, and irregular respirations—which is a hallmark sign of increased ICP and requires immediate reporting.
C. Heart rate 110–100 beats/minute, blood pressure 130/70–110/70 mm Hg, shallow respirations: Vital signs are not indicative of ICP; shallow respirations may be due to other causes, and the blood pressure trend is decreasing rather than showing hypertension with widening pulse pressure.
D. Heart rate 70–100 beats/minute, blood pressure 120/60–90/60 mm Hg, rapid respirations: These findings suggest hypotension and tachypnea, which are more indicative of hypovolemia or other systemic issues rather than increased ICP.