Head Injuries
Diffuse head injury that is short in duration, causes a brief LOC, headaches, and possible amnesia
What is a concussion?
Normal ICP measurement
What is 5-15 mmHg?
This nursing action is the first priority when a patient shows signs of increased ICP.
What is elevate the head of bed (HOB) to 30 degrees?
This corticosteroid is used to reduce inflammation in patients with brain tumors or meningitis.
What is dexamethasone?
A meningitis patient's stiff neck would be documented utilized the term ____________.
Surgical evacuation of a subdural or epidural hematoma
What is a craniotomy/ectomy?
A patient exhibiting a widened pulse pressure, bradycardia, and irregular respirations would be presenting with __________.
What is Cushing's Triad?
This nursing intervention reduces metabolic demand and prevents further increases in ICP.
What is maintaining a quiet, calm environment and administering sedatives?
This drug is used to manage fever in patients with meningitis or encephalitis to prevent increased metabolic demand.
What is acetaminophen
Most common causes are enterovirus, arbovirus, HIV, and HSV
What is viral meningitis?
Periorbital edema and ecchymosis would be noted as ___________.
What are Raccoon eyes?
Catheter inserted in brain to drain CSF and measure ICP
What is a ventriculostomy?
What is having suction equipment and oxygen available at the bedside?
This type of seizure precaution is essential for a patient with increased ICP or encephalitis.
This type of medication is given to prevent seizures in patients with brain injury or increased ICP.
What is an anticonvulsant (e.g., phenytoin)?
Most common complications of meningitis (2)
What are cerebral edema and increased ICP?
Hematoma in which a patient will have an initial period of unconsciousness, then a brief lucid interval followed by decrease in LOC.
What is an epidural hematoma?
Cycles of hyperventilation and apnea in a patient with worsening increased ICP
To prevent scondary brain injury in patients with increased ICP, mainatining this range of PaCO2 is critical.
What is maintain a level 35-45 mm Hg?
This osmotic diuretic commonly used to decrease cerebral edema in patients with increased ICP
What is mannitol?
Key symptoms of bacterial meningitis include _________________ (4).
What are fever, severe headache, nausea/vomiting, and nuchal rigidity?
A patient with a GCS of ______ has suffered a severe focal head injury.
What is GCS of 3-8?
Interventions to optimize ICP & CPP (3)
What are HOB elevated, head midline, avoid extreme neck flexion, turn slowly, prevent pain or discomfort, and/or avoid hip flexion?
Complication of meningitis that could lead to permanent neurological deficits
What is hydrocephalus?
These IV solutions are administered to reduce brain edema after traumatic brain injury or surgery.
What are hypertonic saline solutions?
An encephalitis patient may be treated with _________ prophylactically due to the risks from inflammation.
What are anti-seizure medications/anti-epileptics?