During an assessment of a 22-year-old woman who has a head injury from a car accident 4 hours ago,the nurse notes the following change: her pupils were equal,but now the right is fully dilated and nonreactive,while the left is 4 mm and reacts to light.What would this finding suggest?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In a brain-injured person,a suddenly dilated,nonreactive pupil unilaterally is ominous.CN III runs parallel to the brain stem.When increasing intracranial pressure pushes the brain stem down (uncal herniation),it puts pressure on CN III,causing pupil dilation.

During an Assessment of a 22-Year-Old Woman Who Has a Head