HESI (Health and Environmental Sciences Institute) Health Assessment Practice Test

The presence of a unilateral dilated pupil following a brain injury is an alarming sign as it may indicate increased intracranial pressure or potential damage to the oculomotor nerve. This particular type of pupil response can signal severe issues such as herniation of brain tissue or other neurological emergencies. A dilated pupil that is unresponsive to light or shows uneven size compared to the other pupil raises significant concern regarding the function of the brain and can be a marker for serious complications.

In contrast, constricted pupils, equal pupils, and slow-reacting pupils can indicate various conditions that are generally less critical. For example, constricted pupils can occur in response to certain toxins or drug influence, while equally sized pupils may suggest that there is no immediate neurological compromise. Slow-reacting pupils can be indicative of decreased neurological function but do not carry the same immediate alarm as a unilateral dilated pupil. Therefore, recognizing the implications of pupil size and reactivity is crucial in the assessment of brain injuries.