What is a sign of increased intracranial pressure (ICP) in a 10-year-old child?
Tachypnoea
Bulging fontanel
Headache
Increase in head circumference
The Correct Answer is C
A sign of increased intracranial pressure (ICP) in a 10-year-old child is a headache. Headache is a common symptom associated with increased pressure within the cranial cavity. It can be a result of various conditions that cause elevated intracranial pressure, such as brain tumours, intracranial haemorrhage, hydrocephalus, or brain trauma. The headache may be described as persistent, worsening, or accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or changes in neurological status.
tachypnoea (rapid breathing), in (option A) is incorrect because it is not a specific sign of increased intracranial pressure. It can be seen in various conditions, including respiratory and cardiovascular disorders, anxiety, or physical exertion.
bulging fontanel in (option B) is incorrect because it, is more commonly observed in infants and is not typically seen in older children. The fontanelles (soft spots) on an infant's skull normally close by the age of 18-24 months.
an increase in head circumference in (option D) is incorrect because it, may be a sign of increased intracranial pressure in infants. However, in a 10-year-old child, the fontanelles are typically closed, and head circumference growth is not a reliable indicator of increased intracranial pressure
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Infants and children have open growth plates, also known as epiphyseal plates, at the ends of
their long bones. These plates are responsible for bone growth and are not fully fused until
the child reach skeletal maturity. Due to the presence of open growth plates, infants and
children are more prone to fractures because their bones are still developing and are less
dense than those of adults.
Their bones have less blood flow in (Option A) is incorrect because cchildren’s bones
actually have a greater blood flow compared to adults. This increased blood flow supports the
rapid growth and development of bones in children.
Growth occurs in children as a result of an increase in the number of muscle fibers in (option
B) is incorrect because ggrowth in children occurs primarily due to the elongation and
thickening of existing muscle fibres, not an increase in their number. This option inaccurately
suggests that children's muscles increase in fibber count to facilitate growth.
Because soft tissues are resilient in children, dislocations and spirals are less common than in
adults in (Option D is) incorrect. While soft tissues may be more resilient in children, it does
not mean that dislocations and sprains are less common than in adults. In fact, children's
ligaments and joint structures are still developing and may be more susceptible to injuries
such as sprains and dislocations compared to adults.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Hydrocephalus refers to a condition characterized by an abnormal accumulation ofcerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the ventricles of the brain. In infants, hydrocephalus cancause the head to enlarge rapidly as a result of the increased pressure exerted by theaccumulatingfluid.Thisisknownas"rapidheadgrowth."Theincreasedintracranialpressurecanlead to irritabilityand poorappetite in infants.
The distended scalp veins are another common sign of hydrocephalus. As the fluidaccumulates,itputs pressureon thebloodvessels inthe brain,causingtheveinsin thescalptobecome morevisible and distended.
Cerebral palsy in (option A) is incorrect because is a neurological disorder that affects bodymovementandmusclecoordination,butitdoesnottypicallypresentwithrapid headgrowthordistended scalp veins.
Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) in (option B) is incorrect becauseitisacondition characterized byexcessivesecretionofantidiuretichormone,leadingtofluidimbalance, but it does not usually cause rapid head growth or distended scalp veins. Reye'ssyndrome (D) is a rare condition that primarily affects the liver and brain, and it does nottypicallypresent with rapid headgrowthor distended scalp veins.
Therefore, based on the signs described, hydrocephalus (C) is the most likely disorder in thiscase.Itisimportantto seekmedicalattentionpromptlyforaproperdiagnosisand appropriatemanagementofhydrocephalus in infants.
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