Which symptoms should be controlled in a pediatric patient with a head injury to prevent increased intracranial pressure?

In managing pediatric patients with a head injury, controlling pain is critical to prevent increased intracranial pressure (ICP). Pain can cause significant physiological stress responses, leading to increased blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate, all of which can contribute to elevated ICP. By effectively managing pain, healthcare providers can help reduce the chances of exacerbating ICP, creating a more stable condition for the patient.

While nausea, agitation, and coughing also play roles in the overall management of a head-injured patient, they are typically secondary concerns related to the immediate effects of the injury. Nausea can lead to vomiting, which can increase ICP, and agitation can increase metabolic demands and stress. Coughing, particularly if severe, can raise intracranial pressure through increased intrathoracic pressure, but the management of pain takes precedence as it fundamentally impacts patient comfort and physiological stability.

In summary, pain control is a crucial intervention in preventing complications associated with increased ICP in pediatric patients with head injuries, making it the focus over the other symptoms listed.