All of the following are symptoms of head injury, except?

Appeared in: BHU NO - 2015

Explanation

Sweating (diaphoresis) is not a direct or classic symptom of a head injury.
While sweating can be present in a trauma patient, it is typically a sign of a systemic response like pain, fever, or shock, rather than a specific neurological sign of the brain injury itself.
The primary symptoms of head injury relate to neurological function, such as consciousness level, sensory changes, and signs of increased intracranial pressure.

Option A: Sleepiness or drowsiness is a common and important symptom of head injury, reflecting an altered level of consciousness.
Option B: Vomiting, particularly if it is projectile, is a classic sign of increased intracranial pressure (ICP) following a head injury.
Option D: Headache is the most frequently reported symptom after a head injury, ranging from mild to severe.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Use the key finding related to Recognition of common symptoms associated with head injury to guide bedside assessment, documentation, and the next nursing action.
A nurse's primary role in caring for a patient with a head injury is to perform frequent neurological assessments (e.g., using the Glasgow Coma Scale) and monitor for signs of deterioration, such as a worsening headache, repeated vomiting, or decreasing level of consciousness.
Any new or worsening neurological symptom should be reported to the physician immediately, as it may indicate brain swelling or bleeding that requires urgent intervention.
What if? If a patient with a head injury is also sweating, pale, and has a rapid, weak pulse, the nurse should suspect hypovolemic shock from an unseen injury (like internal bleeding) rather than attributing the sweating to the head injury. This requires immediate fluid resuscitation and investigation for the source of bleeding.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the keyword 'except'. This tells you that three of the options are correct symptoms of a head injury, and your task is to find the one that is not.
Review each option and recall the common clinical manifestations of head trauma.
Consider the pathophysiology: Head injury affects the brain, leading to neurological symptoms. Ask yourself, 'Is this option a direct result of brain dysfunction or increased pressure in the skull?'
Evaluate 'Sleepiness': This relates to level of consciousness, a key neurological function.
Evaluate 'Vomiting': This is a known sign of increased intracranial pressure.
Evaluate 'Headache': This is a very common symptom of head trauma.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Recognition of common symptoms associated with head injury.
Stem keywords: symptoms, head injury
Lead-in keywords: except
Negative lead-in flag: The question uses the word 'except', asking you to identify the option that is NOT a symptom of a head injury.

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Practise the full BHU NO - 2015

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.