North Carolina EMT State Practice Exam

What condition may result from an accumulation of blood or swelling of the brain in the skull?

1. Stroke

2. Coma

3. Intracranial pressure (ICP)

4. Concussion

The correct answer is: Intracranial pressure (ICP)

Intracranial pressure (ICP) refers to the pressure inside the skull that is exerted by the brain, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid. When there is an accumulation of blood, such as from a hemorrhage, or swelling of the brain, potentially caused by injury or inflammation, the volume within the rigid confines of the skull increases. This can lead to elevated intracranial pressure as the brain and its components cannot expand to accommodate the excess fluid or swelling. High ICP can compress brain tissue, potentially leading to severe complications, including herniation of brain tissue, decreased cerebral perfusion, and neurological damage. It is a serious medical condition that requires immediate evaluation and intervention to prevent further harm to the brain. While stroke, coma, and concussion are related to brain injuries and conditions, they do not directly describe the phenomenon of pressure build-up in the skull that results from fluid accumulation or swelling. Stroke refers to a disruption of blood flow to a part of the brain, coma is a state of prolonged unconsciousness that can result from various conditions including severe brain injury or metabolic disturbances, and concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury characterized by transient loss of function. None specifically denote the effect of increased pressure within the cranial cavity itself,