Cushing Response Triad — FRCA Primary MCQ
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Correct answer: A — Hypertension and bradycardia and irregular respiration
The Cushing response (Cushing triad) consists of: hypertension (sympathetic response to brainstem ischaemia) / bradycardia (baroreceptor-mediated reflex to hypertension) / and irregular respiration (brainstem compression affecting respiratory centres). It is a late and ominous sign of critically raised ICP indicating impending brainstem herniation.
Reference: Power Kam 2018 Principles of Physiology for the Anaesthetist