FAU Advanced Health Assessment Practice Test

What triad of symptoms is associated with Cushing's Triad in increased ICP?

1. Fever, chills, and cough

2. Bradycardia, systolic hypertension, and widened pulse pressure

3. Headache, lethargy, and nausea

4. Vomiting, erratic behavior, and seizures

The correct answer is: Bradycardia, systolic hypertension, and widened pulse pressure

Cushing's Triad is a critical clinical syndrome associated with increased intracranial pressure (ICP) that consists of three main symptoms: bradycardia (slow heart rate), systolic hypertension (high blood pressure), and a widened pulse pressure (the difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure). Understanding each component of this triad is vital in the context of managing patients with elevated ICP. Bradycardia occurs as a compensatory response to rising ICP, as the body attempts to maintain cerebral perfusion despite the increased pressure. Systolic hypertension is the result of a reflex mechanism to increase cerebral blood flow when ICP is high, while a widened pulse pressure reflects the disparity between systolic and diastolic pressures, indicating a failure in the normal regulation of blood pressure due to the strain on the cardiovascular system. The other options provided do not relate to the classic symptoms of Cushing's Triad. Symptoms such as fever, chills, cough, headache, lethargy, nausea, vomiting, erratic behavior, and seizures may be associated with various neurological conditions but do not specifically characterize the physiological response to increased ICP represented by Cushing's Triad. Therefore, identifying these specific triad components is crucial for timely recognition and management