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

When assessing a patient for post-neurosurgery intracranial pressure, one of the expected outcomes is equal pupil size and an appropriate reaction to light. This is indicative of normal intracranial pressure and proper functioning of the brainstem, both of which are crucial after brain surgery. Changes in the size or reactivity of pupils can signify increased intracranial pressure or neurological compromises, thus maintaining equal pupil size and a normal reaction to light reflects a stable neurological status.

The other options provide insights into potential complications or changes that may occur after neurosurgery. An increased heart rate could be a response to stress, pain, or increased intracranial pressure, which is concerning rather than an expected healthy outcome. Decreased blood pressure might occur due to a variety of factors, including neurogenic shock or hemorrhage, but is not typically an expected outcome when monitoring for stable intracranial pressure. Improved motor function could be an eventual goal but is not an immediate expected outcome within the first assessments following surgery, especially in the context of intracranial pressure monitoring. Therefore, maintaining normal pupil size and reaction is a critical parameter in evaluating the patient's neurological integrity post-operatively.