HESI Medical Surgical Exam Related

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What is the most important nursing intervention for a patient with increased intracranial pressure (ICP)?

  • A. Elevate the head of the bed to 30 degrees.
  • B. Administer diuretics to reduce fluid volume.
  • C. Administer corticosteroids to reduce inflammation.
  • D. Keep the patient in a supine position.
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Elevating the head of the bed to 30 degrees is crucial for a patient with increased intracranial pressure (ICP) because it helps promote venous drainage from the brain, thereby reducing ICP. Keeping the head of the bed elevated helps facilitate cerebral perfusion and can prevent a further increase in ICP. Administering diuretics (Choice B) may be considered in some cases to reduce fluid volume, but it is not the most critical intervention for immediate ICP management. Administering corticosteroids (Choice C) is not typically indicated for managing increased ICP unless there is a specific underlying condition requiring their use. Keeping the patient in a supine position (Choice D) can actually worsen ICP by impeding venous outflow from the brain, making it an incorrect choice for this scenario.