RN ATI Adult Medsurg Proctored Exam 2023 With NGN Related

Review RN ATI Adult Medsurg Proctored Exam 2023 With NGN related questions and content

A nurse is monitoring a client who has a traumatic brain injury. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as a manifestation of Cushings triad?

  • A. Increase in blood pressure from 130/80 mm Hg to 180/100 mm Hg
  • B. Decrease in heart rate to 120 bpm
  • C. Rapid shallow respirations
  • D. Hypotension
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Increase in blood pressure from 130/80 mm Hg to 180/100 mm Hg. Cushing's triad is a classic sign of increased intracranial pressure (ICP), seen in traumatic brain injury. It consists of hypertension (elevated blood pressure), bradycardia (not tachycardia), and irregular respirations (not rapid shallow respirations). The increase in blood pressure is due to the body's attempt to maintain cerebral perfusion in response to the increased ICP. The other choices are incorrect because they do not align with the classic presentation of Cushing's triad in traumatic brain injury.