Pupillary dilation is a sign of head injury.

Pupillary dilation is a sign of head injury.

• A. Nasal congestion
• B. Pupillary dilation
• C. Bradycardia
• D. Normal gait

Answer: (B)

Pupil size and light reactivity are quick, critical indicators of neurologic status after head trauma. When a pupil dilates, especially if it becomes large and nonreactive to light, this often points to brain injury with possible increased intracranial pressure affecting the oculomotor nerve. A unilateral fixed, dilated pupil is a classic red flag for potential brain herniation and requires immediate evaluation and rapid transport to higher care. Other signs listed, like nasal congestion or normal gait, don’t specifically reflect intracranial injury in this context, and bradycardia can occur from various causes but isn’t as directly tied to head injury signs as pupil changes are.

Pupil size and light reactivity are quick, critical indicators of neurologic status after head trauma. When a pupil dilates, especially if it becomes large and nonreactive to light, this often points to brain injury with possible increased intracranial pressure affecting the oculomotor nerve. A unilateral fixed, dilated pupil is a classic red flag for potential brain herniation and requires immediate evaluation and rapid transport to higher care.

Other signs listed, like nasal congestion or normal gait, don’t specifically reflect intracranial injury in this context, and bradycardia can occur from various causes but isn’t as directly tied to head injury signs as pupil changes are.