What finding should a nurse identify as an indication of increased intracranial pressure in a client who experienced a traumatic brain injury?

An increasingly severe headache is a significant finding that indicates increased intracranial pressure (ICP), particularly in the context of a traumatic brain injury. This symptom may arise due to swelling, bleeding, or the accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid, which can all contribute to pressure on the brain. As the pressure within the cranial cavity rises, the brain's ability to function and maintain normal physiological processes can be compromised, often presenting as worsening head pain.

While slurred speech, sudden loss of balance, and loss of vision can also be associated with neurological issues following a brain injury, they are generally less specific to increased ICP compared to the symptom of a headache. Slurred speech may suggest neurological impairment or stroke, sudden loss of balance can indicate vestibular issues or cerebellar dysfunction, and loss of vision may relate to optic nerve damage or other visual pathways being compromised. However, a progressively worsening headache is more directly indicative of the overall pressure state within the skull, making it a key finding for nurses to evaluate in such cases.