A nurse is caring for a patient in the intensive care unit who was admitted with severe head trauma and cerebral edema. The patient opens their eyes spontaneously, is oriented, and obeys commands.Which of the following findings indicate the patient is experiencing a decline in their condition?

Choice A rationale
Serotonin is indeed an inhibitory neurotransmitter. It helps regulate mood, appetite, and sleep among other things. However, its role in the nervous system is complex and it can also have excitatory effects depending on the specific receptors and neural pathways involved.
Choice B rationale
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. It works by decreasing neuronal excitability, which helps to regulate muscle tone, among other functions.
Choice C rationale
Acetylcholine is primarily an excitatory neurotransmitter, although it can have inhibitory effects in certain parts of the nervous system. It plays a key role in muscle activation, learning, and memory.
Choice D rationale
Dopamine can act as both an inhibitory and an excitatory neurotransmitter, depending on the type of receptor it binds to and the specific neural pathway involved. It plays key roles in reward, motivation, and motor control.

Choice A rationale
While emotional disorders and acute pain can occur after a traumatic brain injury (TBI), they are not considered secondary conditions. These are more immediate and direct results of the injury.
Choice B rationale
Loss of sensation and cognition difficulties are common secondary conditions that can develop after a TBI. These can be due to damage to specific areas of the brain during the injury.
Choice C rationale
Body dysmorphia and neurofibrillary tangles are not typically associated with TBI. Body dysmorphia is a psychological disorder, and neurofibrillary tangles are associated with neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.
Choice D rationale
Decreased appetite and a lack of sleep can occur after a TBI, but they are more likely to be symptoms rather than secondary conditions. Secondary conditions are typically more long- term and are a result of changes in the brain after the injury.