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The nurse is caring for a patient in the ICU who has a brain stem herniation and who is exhibiting an altered level of consciousness. Monitoring reveals that the patients mean arterial pressure (MAP) is 60 mm Hg with an intracranial pressure (ICP) reading of 5 mm Hg. What is the nurses most appropriate action?
- A. Position the patient in the high Fowlers position as tolerated.
- B. Administer osmotic diuretics as ordered.
- C. Participate in interventions to increase cerebral perfusion pressure.
- D. Prepare the patient for craniotomy.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The CPP (MAP - ICP = 55 mm Hg) is low; normal is 70-100 mm Hg. Interventions to increase CPP are needed to prevent neurologic damage. High Fowlers, diuretics, or craniotomy may worsen the condition.
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A patient is postoperative day 1 following intracranial surgery. The nurses assessment reveals that the patients LOC is slightly decreased compared with the day of surgery. What is the nurses best response to this assessment finding?
- A. Recognize that this may represent the peak of post-surgical cerebral edema.
- B. Alert the surgeon to the possibility of an intracranial hemorrhage.
- C. Understand that the surgery may have been unsuccessful.
- D. Recognize the need to refer the patient to the palliative care team.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Cerebral edema peaks 24-36 hours post-surgery, often causing decreased LOC. Hemorrhage is not confirmed, surgery success is premature to judge, and palliative care is not indicated.
The nurse is caring for a patient with increased intracranial pressure (ICP). The patient has a nursing diagnosis of ineffective cerebral tissue perfusion. What would be an expected outcome that the nurse would document for this diagnosis?
- A. Copes with sensory deprivation.
- B. Registers normal body temperature.
- C. Pays attention to grooming.
- D. Obeys commands with appropriate motor responses.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Obeying commands with appropriate motor responses indicates improved cerebral perfusion. Other outcomes relate to sensory perception, thermoregulation, or body image, not perfusion.
A hospital patient has experienced a seizure. In the immediate recovery period, what action best protects the patients safety?
- A. Place the patient in a side-lying position.
- B. Pad the patients bed rails.
- C. Administer antianxiety medications as ordered.
- D. Reassure the patient and family members.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A side-lying position prevents aspiration of secretions post-seizure. Padding rails, antianxiety drugs, or reassurance are secondary to airway safety.
A patient with increased ICP has a ventriculostomy for monitoring ICP. The nurses most recent assessment reveals that the patient is now exhibiting nuchal rigidity and photophobia. The nurse would be correct in suspecting the presence of what complication?
- A. Encephalitis
- B. CSF leak
- C. Meningitis
- D. Catheter occlusion
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Nuchal rigidity and photophobia are signs of meningitis, a potential ventriculostomy complication. Encephalitis, CSF leak, and catheter occlusion present differently.
While completing a health history on a patient who has recently experienced a seizure, the nurse would assess for what characteristic associated with the postictal state?
- A. Epileptic cry
- B. Confusion
- C. Urinary incontinence
- D. Body rigidity
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Confusion is typical in the postictal state after a seizure. Epileptic cry, incontinence, and rigidity occur during the seizure, not afterward.