Which sign is a recognized indicator of cerebral shunt malfunction in a pediatric patient?

• A. Seizures only
• B. Fever only
• C. Vomiting
• D. Shortness of breath

Answer: (C)

Vomiting is a sign of increased intracranial pressure, which can occur when a cerebral shunt malfunctions and CSF can’t drain properly. In children, this rise in pressure often shows up first as vomiting, sometimes along with irritability, poor feeding, or lethargy, and in infants may include a bulging fontanelle. Seizures can occur with high pressure but are less specific to shunt malfunction. Fever typically points more toward infection rather than malfunction, and shortness of breath isn’t a classic indicator of shunt problems. So vomiting best fits as a recognizable indicator of shunt malfunction in a pediatric patient.