Which of the following is NOT a late finding of increased intracranial pressure (ICP)?

In cases of increased intracranial pressure (ICP), various clinical signs manifest that indicate the severity of the condition. Bradycardia, dilated pupils, and papilledema are all late signs that suggest significant increase in ICP.

Bradycardia occurs due to the Cushing's reflex, a physiological response to elevated ICP that leads to increased vagal tone. This response often results in a drop in heart rate, marking it as a concerning late finding.

Dilated pupils can indicate alterations in neurological function and are often seen when there is severe pressure affecting cranial nerves responsible for pupil dilation. This can occur due to brain herniation or other significant intracranial pathology.

Papilledema is the swelling of the optic nerve head due to increased pressure in the cranial cavity. It is observed during fundoscopic examination and is an important late sign of increased ICP that indicates a longstanding elevation in pressure.

In contrast, increased blood pressure is typically an early response rather than a late finding. Elevated blood pressure may occur in response to stress or physiological attempts to maintain cerebral perfusion in the face of rising ICP, but it does not signify a late-stage condition. Therefore, identifying increased blood pressure as not being a late finding aligns with the clinical understanding of