What are common signs of increased intracranial pressure (ICP)?

Increased intracranial pressure (ICP) is a serious medical condition that occurs when there is an accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), blood, or brain tissue that raises the pressure within the skull. This condition can lead to various signs and symptoms as the brain's functionality is compromised due to pressure exerted on the neural structures.

The correct selection highlights common physical manifestations of elevated ICP, which include headache, vomiting, altered consciousness, and visual disturbances. Each of these symptoms relates to the increased pressure affecting the brain:

• Headaches are common as the pressure increases and can become more severe over time; they may also differ from typical headaches in intensity and presentation.

• Vomiting often occurs due to irritation of the brain and can be a response to increased intracranial pressure without prior nausea; it can also happen as a reflex due to pressure affecting the brain regions associated with the vomiting reflex.

• Altered consciousness is a critical sign of increased ICP, indicating that the pressure is affecting wakefulness, cognitive function, and overall responsiveness. As pressure rises, it can impede blood flow and oxygenation to brain regions responsible for consciousness.

• Visual disturbances occur when increased pressure affects the optic nerve or areas of the brain responsible for processing visual information,