Traumatic brain injury patients will have which state of intracranial pressure?

• A. High
• B. Low
• C. Normal
• D. Variable

Answer: (A)

Swelling and bleeding inside the skull after a brain injury add volume in a closed space, so intracranial pressure rises. This elevated pressure is a common and defining consequence of traumatic brain injury, mainly because the skull cannot expand to accommodate the extra tissue, edema, or blood. High intracranial pressure can reduce blood flow to the brain and risk brain herniation, making it a critical issue to monitor and treat. Normal intracranial pressure is roughly 7–15 mmHg, and pressures above about 20 mmHg are typically considered high and concerning. While pressure can fluctuate, the typical state after a significant brain injury is increased intracranial pressure.