An adolescent boy is brought to the emergency department after a motorcycle accident. His respirations are deep, periodic, and gasping. There are extreme fluctuations in blood pressure. Pupils are dilated and fixed. The nurse should suspect what type of head injury.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

These symptoms are indicative of a brainstem injury. Deep, periodic, and gasping respirations (often referred to as agonal breathing), extreme fluctuations in blood pressure, and dilated and fixed pupils are classic signs of brainstem involvement, which can occur due to direct trauma or secondary effects from increased intracranial pressure affecting the brainstem.

An Adolescent Boy Is Brought to the Emergency Department After