Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Practice Exam

Following significant head trauma, what symptom may indicate increased intracranial pressure?

1. Bradycardia

2. Clear nasal discharge

3. Hypertension

4. Altered mental status

The correct answer is: Altered mental status

Altered mental status is a critical symptom that may indicate increased intracranial pressure (ICP) following significant head trauma. When the brain is subjected to injury, swelling or bleeding can occur, leading to an increase in pressure within the cranial cavity. This elevated pressure can disrupt normal brain function, causing various neurological symptoms, including disorientation, confusion, or changes in alertness. As ICP rises, there can be a direct impact on cognitive function because the brain's ability to receive oxygen and nutrients gets compromised, leading to altered mental status. Monitoring for this change is crucial in the assessment and management of patients with head injuries, as it can be an early warning sign of more serious complications, including brain herniation. The other symptoms listed, while they may be associated with head trauma in certain contexts, do not specifically indicate increased ICP in the same direct manner that altered mental status does. For example, bradycardia may occur in response to increased pressure but isn’t a standalone indicative symptom. Clear nasal discharge could suggest a cerebrospinal fluid leak, and hypertension might occur due to a variety of reasons not directly tied to increased intracranial pressure. Thus, altered mental status serves as a clear and critical indicator in this context.