How is Cushing's Triad defined?

• A. Bradycardia, elevated blood pressure, irregular respirations
• B. Tachycardia, hypotension, regular respirations
• C. Bradycardia, hypotension, regular respirations
• D. Tachycardia, hypertension, irregular respirations

Answer: (A)

Cushing's Triad is a late sign of rising intracranial pressure with brainstem involvement, indicating the body is trying to maintain cerebral perfusion as pressure inside the skull climbs.

It includes three coordinated findings: bradycardia (slow heart rate), hypertension with widened pulse pressure (high systolic pressure relative to diastolic pressure), and irregular respirations (abnormal breathing patterns from brainstem disturbance). This combination happens because increased intracranial pressure triggers a compensatory reflex to raise blood pressure to keep blood flow to the brain, while brainstem compression slows the heart and disrupts breathing.

In contrast, patterns like a fast heart rate with low blood pressure or regular, unaltered breathing do not reflect this compensatory response to intracranial hypertension, and they do not carry the same warning about impending brainstem compromise. Recognizing the triad signals an urgent need for airway management, stabilization, and rapid transport to prevent deterioration.