What does a unilateral dilated non-reactive pupil most strongly suggest when monitoring a patient with severe TBI?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: Impending uncal herniation with cranial nerve III compression
A dilated non-reactive pupil in TBI indicates impending uncal herniation and the need for urgent neurosurgical intervention.
Practice all 20 Traumatic Brain and Spinal Cord Injury questions
Keep practicing
More Traumatic Brain and Spinal Cord Injury questions
- What nursing intervention is essential to prevent respiratory complications in an SCI patient?
- What is the GCS score for a TBI patient who opens eyes to verbal command, is abnormal flexion to pain, and utters incomprehensible sounds?
- In the acute management of SCI, what is the priority according to nursing care?
- When a TBI patient's intracranial monitoring shows ICP > 20 mmHg for an extended period, what is an appropriate nursing action?
- What functional change can be anticipated in an SCI patient with a complete injury at T12?
- What does a GCS motor response of 'extension' to pain indicate in a TBI patient's assessment?