Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Trauma Practice Test

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If a patient has significant closed head injuries and presents with pupillary abnormalities, what additional symptom is common?

  1. Hypertension

  2. Paralysis

  3. Paresthesia

  4. Tachycardia

The correct answer is: Hypertension

Patients with significant closed head injuries and pupillary abnormalities commonly present with hypertension. This is known as Cushing's reflex, which is a physiological response to increased intracranial pressure. As the pressure in the skull rises, the body tries to maintain blood flow to the brain by increasing the systemic blood pressure. This compensatory mechanism helps ensure adequate perfusion to the brain despite the elevated intracranial pressure. Therefore, hypertension is a common additional symptom seen in patients with closed head injuries and pupillary abnormalities.

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