A nurse is caring for a client who has a traumatic brain injury. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as an indication of Increased intracranial pressure?

A. Tachycardia: Increased intracranial pressure (ICP) typically triggers a Cushing’s response, which involves bradycardia rather than tachycardia. Tachycardia is more commonly associated with pain, fever, or hypovolemia and does not reliably indicate elevated ICP. B. Hypotension: ICP elevation often leads to a compensatory increase in systemic blood pressure to maintain cerebral perfusion (Cushing’s triad: hypertension, bradycardia, irregular respirations). Hypotension is not a typical early sign of increased ICP and may indicate other complications such as shock. C. Restlessness: Restlessness, agitation, or decreased level of consciousness is an early neurologic sign of increasing ICP. As pressure builds, cerebral perfusion decreases, leading to subtle behavioral changes, confusion, and irritability before more overt vital sign alterations occur. Early recognition allows timely intervention to prevent further neurologic compromise. D. Amnesia: Amnesia may occur after traumatic brain injury due to direct neuronal injury or diffuse axonal injury. While it indicates neurologic involvement, it is not a specific or early indicator of elevated ICP. Monitoring for changes in mental status, behavior, and neurologic function is more sensitive for ICP assessment.