When managing a patient with increased intracranial pressure, which combination of actions should the nurse prioritize to promote patient safety and reduce complications?
Elevate the head of the bed and monitor vital signs
When intracranial pressure rises, the first care goals are to promote venous outflow from the head and watch for deterioration.
Elevating the head of the bed by 30 degrees improves cerebral venous drainage and reduces ICP, while frequent vital-sign monitoring picks up Cushing’s response early.
Keeping the patient flat raises ICP, encouraging coughing and deep breathing raises intrathoracic pressure, and ice packs on the scalp are not standard neuro-intensive practice.
Hence, Elevate the head of the bed and monitor vital signs.
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Important Questions from Medical-Surgical Nursing
Which nursing intervention is most appropriate when caring for a patient experiencing an anaphylactic reaction?
A patient has just returned to the ward after abdominal surgery. Which action should the nurse take first to evaluate the effectiveness of respiratory interventions in the immediate postoperative period?
A nurse is monitoring a patient with a colostomy. Which observation requires immediate attention?
Which solution is commonly used for fluid replacement in burn patients?
In a patient with a normal temperature and pulse but low blood pressure, which clinical condition should be considered first?
