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Cerebral edema, which is the swelling of the brain due to excess fluid, can manifest through various symptoms that reflect increased intracranial pressure and compromised neurological function. The combination of headache, bradycardia, and restlessness strongly suggests cerebral edema.

Headache is commonly reported in cases of increased intracranial pressure because the swelling can cause irritation of the brain and its protective coverings. Bradycardia, or a slower-than-normal heart rate, can occur as a response to increased intracranial pressure when the body attempts to manage stress on the cardiovascular system; it can also relate to brainstem involvement. Restlessness may indicate a child's altered level of consciousness or discomfort due to increased pressure within the skull.

The other options present symptoms that are more indicative of different medical issues. For example, fever, lethargy, and irregular respirations might indicate an infection or other systemic issues rather than specifically pointing to cerebral edema. Dehydration, constipation, and nausea typically suggest gastrointestinal or metabolic conditions rather than neurological ones. Finally, normal reflexes and good hydration would indicate that there is no impairment in neurological function, further distancing those symptoms from a diagnosis of cerebral edema.