ICP Quiz: Early Signs of Increased Intracranial Pressure

1. Which medication class is often used to manage Increased Intracranial Pressure through sedation?

Antibiotics

Benzodiazepines

Diuretics

Vasopressors

2. Which assessment finding indicates the patient is progressing toward herniation due to Increased Intracranial Pressure?

Pupils reactive and equal, alert and oriented

One pupil dilated and fixed, opposite-side weakness

Both pupils small and reactive

Nystagmus with normal pupil response

3. True or False: Fever increases cerebral metabolic rate and can worsen Increased Intracranial Pressure.

True

False

4. A patient with ICP is hypoxic. What is the priority nursing action?

Administer oxygen to maintain SpO2 >94%

Increase sedation to reduce metabolic demand

Lower the head of the bed

Suction aggressively to clear airway

5. Which imaging modality is best for rapid detection of mass lesions causing Increased Intracranial Pressure?

CT scan of the head

MRI of the brain

Skull X-ray

EEG

Submit

7. A patient on mechanical ventilation for ICP management develops hypercapnia. What is the effect?

Decreases cerebral blood flow

Increases cerebral blood flow and ICP

Has no effect on ICP

Reduces intracranial volume

8. Which cranial nerve assessment is most sensitive for detecting early ICP changes?

CN II (optic nerve) and pupil response

CN XII (hypoglossal) tongue movement

CN V (trigeminal) sensation

CN VIII (vestibulocochlear) hearing

9. The papilledema sign indicates what about Increased Intracranial Pressure?

It is acute and just beginning

It is chronic and sustained

It is resolving

It is unrelated to ICP

10. A patient exhibits decorticate posturing. Which brain area is likely affected?

Cerebral cortex and internal capsule

Midbrain and pons

Medulla

Cerebellum

11. A patient with a head injury suddenly becomes restless and irritable. What is the earliest sign of Increased Intracranial Pressure?

Changes in level of consciousness

Bradycardia

Fixed, dilated pupils

Decerebrate posturing

12. A patient's Glasgow Coma Scale score drops from 15 to 13. What is the nurse's priority action?

Notify the provider and reassess frequently

Administer oxygen and position supine

Call a code blue

Increase sedation

13. Which activity should be avoided in a patient with suspected Increased Intracranial Pressure?

Elevating the head of the bed

Vigorous suctioning and straining

Maintaining normothermia

Keeping the environment quiet

14. A patient with ICP is given mannitol. What is the mechanism of action?

Increases cerebral blood flow

Creates an osmotic gradient to reduce cerebral edema

Decreases heart rate and blood pressure

Increases intracranial volume

15. Which positioning best prevents Increased Intracranial Pressure in a bedridden patient?

Head of bed flat, neck flexed

Head of bed 30 degrees, neck neutral

Head of bed 45 degrees, neck rotated

Trendelenburg position

Submit

17. A nurse notes the patient's speech is slurred and response time is delayed. What assessment is most critical?

Perform a full Glasgow Coma Scale assessment

Check blood glucose immediately

Assess for stroke symptoms only

Obtain a complete metabolic panel

18. Which of the following is a late sign of Increased Intracranial Pressure?

Headache and irritability

Cushing's triad

Mild confusion

Slight pupil sluggishness

19. A patient develops a dilated pupil on the right side only. What does this unilateral finding suggest?

Midbrain compression and uncal herniation

Brainstem death

Spinal cord injury

Retinal detachment

20. Which vital sign pattern is classic for Increased Intracranial Pressure?

Tachycardia, tachypnea, hypertension

Bradycardia, irregular respirations, hypertension

Tachycardia, bradypnea, hypotension

Bradycardia, tachypnea, hypotension

ICP Quiz: Can You Catch the Early Signs?