Which of the following is a sign of increased intracranial pressure (ICP)?

Increased intracranial pressure can manifest through various signs and symptoms, and each of the listed choices contributes to the understanding of how the body responds to elevated ICP.

Hypertension is a common physiological response when intracranial pressure rises. The body attempts to maintain cerebral perfusion despite the increased pressure by increasing systemic blood pressure. This is a compensatory mechanism that helps ensure that blood continues to flow to vital brain structures.

Bradycardia can also occur as a result of increased ICP. The body may react to rising pressures within the skull through a reflex mechanism that leads to a decreased heart rate. This is often part of Cushing’s triad, which indicates that brain herniation may be imminent.

Widening pulse pressures are another classic sign associated with increased ICP. This refers to the increasing difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings. As the body tries to maintain cerebral perfusion and autonomic control becomes compromised, the systolic pressure may rise while diastolic pressures remain lower, resulting in widened pulse pressure.

Because hypertension, bradycardia, and widening pulse pressures are all interconnected signs that can occur simultaneously in response to elevated intracranial pressure, the comprehensive answer is that all of these signs indicate increased