increased intracranial pressure

Question 1

what is increased intracrainal pressure?

Answer 1

increased intracranial pressure literally is in the name- however this can be caused by traumatic events, hemorrhagic events, edema or inflammation

Question 2

why Is ICP so dangerous?

Answer 2

the increase pressure can impede circulation to the the brain, impending absorption of CSF and losing functioning of nerve cells and lead to brainstem compression or death

Question 3

what is the first thing you’ll notice for a patient with ICP?

Answer 3

change in level of consciousness.

Question 4

what are other clinical manifestation that will follow this alter LOC?

Answer 4

headache
abnormal respirations
elevated temperature
vomting
pupile changes

Question 5

what are late signs of increased intracranial pressure?

Answer 5

increased systolic blood pressure
widened pulse pressure
slow heart rate
decor or deceb positioning
babinski reflex

Question 6

what are interventions we are going to do for a patient with increased intracranial pressure?

Answer 6

monitor respiratory status
place a icp device in the head
avoid morphine administration
maintain body temp
mechanical ventilation if needed
decreased envrioemntal stimuli

Question 7

why are we going to tell patients to limit fluid? and how much fluid needed to be limited?

Answer 7

because more fluid can reach the brain

1200ml or less

Question 8

why do we want to keep the patient at an adequate temperature and prevent shivering?

Answer 8

shivering can cause an increased in pressure

Question 9

what medications do we usually give to patients with increased intracnrial pressure? and why ?

Answer 9

anti-seizure
- all that fluid can disturb neuron communication

antipyretics
- temperature reduction can decreased blood flow

blood pressure medications
- they will increase if its a late sign so prevention is a must

diuretics
- mannitol is a intense fluid removal drug which can help remove all that fluid

Question 10

what are some risk factors when giving mannitol ?

Answer 10

pulmonary edema - from the fast fluid shifting

headache
hyponatremia and dehydration
tachycardia

Question 11

what type of device do we use to help see the fluid and shunting when having increased intracranial pressure?

Answer 11

ventriculoperitoneal shunt

• position the patient supine and turn from the back to the operative side
• monitor for increasing signs of pressure
• monitor signs of infection

Question 12

a patient with ICP should be placed how ?

Answer 12

30-40 degrees HOB
and avoid tredenlegnburgs position and flexion of the neck or head