Which sign is an early indicator of increased intracranial pressure?

Which sign is an early indicator of increased intracranial pressure?

• A. Headache that increases in intensity with coughing or straining
• B. Diplopia or other visual disturbances
• C. Nausea that improves with meals
• D. Fever and rash

Answer: (A)

A headache that worsens with coughing or straining signals raised intracranial pressure because those actions transiently increase pressure inside the skull. Coughing and similar Valsalva maneuvers raise intrathoracic pressure, which impedes venous outflow from the brain and momentarily boosts ICP. This stretches pain-sensitive coverings of the brain and triggers a headache early in the course of intracranial hypertension. While diplopia or other visual disturbances can occur as ICP increases, they tend to appear later as pressure builds. Nausea may be present with elevated ICP, but it doesn’t have the specific sign of worsening with coughing or straining, and fever with rash points to an infection rather than ICP changes.

A headache that worsens with coughing or straining signals raised intracranial pressure because those actions transiently increase pressure inside the skull. Coughing and similar Valsalva maneuvers raise intrathoracic pressure, which impedes venous outflow from the brain and momentarily boosts ICP. This stretches pain-sensitive coverings of the brain and triggers a headache early in the course of intracranial hypertension. While diplopia or other visual disturbances can occur as ICP increases, they tend to appear later as pressure builds. Nausea may be present with elevated ICP, but it doesn’t have the specific sign of worsening with coughing or straining, and fever with rash points to an infection rather than ICP changes.