What are the signs of increased intracranial pressure?

Increased intracranial pressure (ICP) can manifest through a variety of clinical signs and symptoms, each indicating the brain's struggle to accommodate swelling, excess fluid, or other factors that impair normal physiology. The combination of headache, nausea, vomiting, altered mental status, and Cushing’s triad represents the classic signs of increased ICP.

Headache is often the primary complaint, stemming from the stretching of pain-sensitive structures within the cranium. Nausea and vomiting frequently occur due to increased pressure on the brain and its centers for controlling these functions, often making it a hallmark symptom in cases of elevated ICP.

Altered mental status is another critical sign, as increased pressure can lead to decreased cerebral perfusion, impacting cognitive functions and consciousness levels. Cushing’s triad, consisting of hypertension, bradycardia, and irregular or abnormal respirations, specifically signifies a physiological response to severe ICP elevation reflecting a critical state that requires immediate intervention.

The other options represent symptoms that may be seen in various medical conditions but do not specifically align with the definitive signs of increased intracranial pressure as effectively as the correct choice. The symptoms in those options might correlate with different issues such as infections, psychological conditions, or other neurological impairments, but