Cushing's triad (Cushing response) is a late sign of raised intracranial pressure indicating imminent transtentorial herniation. What are the three components?

• A Hypertension, tachycardia, hyperventilation
• B Hypotension, bradycardia, apnea
• C Hypertension, bradycardia, irregular (slow) respirations ✓
• D Hypertension, tachycardia, tachypnea

Explanation

Cushing's triad represents the physiological response to critically elevated ICP compressing the brainstem: systemic hypertension (to maintain CPP against the raised ICP), reflex bradycardia (Bezold-Jarisch reflex in response to hypertension detected by baroreceptors), and irregular or slow respirations (compression of respiratory centers in the medulla). This triad signals impending herniation and is a neurosurgical emergency requiring immediate ICP reduction.

Reference: Bailey & Love's Short Practice of Surgery, 27th ed.

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