Which of the following is a symptom of hydrocephalus?

Which of the following is a symptom of hydrocephalus?

• A. Fever
• B. Rash
• C. Headache
• D. Shortness of breath

Answer: (C)

Hydrocephalus involves a buildup of cerebrospinal fluid that raises pressure inside the skull. That pressure increase commonly manifests as a headache, since the brain and surrounding tissues are subjected to higher intracranial pressure. The headache can be persistent and may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, or vision changes as the pressure affects neural tissues. Fever and a rash point more toward infection or inflammatory processes, while shortness of breath involves the lungs or heart rather than the brain. So, the symptom that best fits hydrocephalus is headache.

Hydrocephalus involves a buildup of cerebrospinal fluid that raises pressure inside the skull. That pressure increase commonly manifests as a headache, since the brain and surrounding tissues are subjected to higher intracranial pressure. The headache can be persistent and may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, or vision changes as the pressure affects neural tissues. Fever and a rash point more toward infection or inflammatory processes, while shortness of breath involves the lungs or heart rather than the brain. So, the symptom that best fits hydrocephalus is headache.