Causes
Bleeding that occurs within the cranium and around the brain tissue
What is intracranial hemorrhage? or cerebral hemorrhage
Decline of mental acuity and alertness
Most common sign of increased intracranial pressure
What is decreased level of consciousness?
The gold standard for imaging tests that creates a series of cross sectional images of the head and brain
What is CT scan?
An osmotic diuretic that elevates blood plasma osmolality which reduces water in the cells of brain tissue to decrease intracranial pressure
What is Mannitol?
An invasion of an organisms body tissues by disease causing agents
What is infection?
Build up of excessive fluid within the ventricles and causes increased pressure in the brain
What is hydrocephalus?
Abnormal Posturing causing flexion of the arms and legs
What is decorticate posturing?
Normal measurement of intracranial pressure within the skull involving brain tissue , blood, and CSF
What is 5-15 mmHg?
Common type of hypertonic solution used to create an osmotic effect by drawing fluid out of edematous brain tissue and decreasing intracranial pressure
What is 3% Saline?
When the ventriculostomy drops less than the reported limits or the intracranial pressure waveform flattens.
What is blockage?
A disruption in the normal function of the brain that is cause by an injury to the head or brain tissue
What is traumatic brain injury?
State two other signs of increased intracranial pressure
What is vomiting, headache, blurred vision, increased blood pressure, papilledema, unequal pupils?
Imaging used after initial assessment to detect subtle changes in brain tissue
What is an MRI?
A temporary closed system that allows for drainage of cerebral spinal fluid from the ventricles of the brain
What is External Ventricular Device (EVD) or ventriculostomy?
Sudden and uncontrolled electrical disturbance in the brain
What is a seizure?
Blood supply to the brain is interrupted or reduced depriving the brain of oxygen and nutrients
What is stroke?
Abnormal posturing that causes extension of arms and legs
What is decerebate posturing?
Pressure noted to maintain proper perfusion of the brain. It is the mean arterial pressure (MAP) - increased intracranial pressure (ICP)
What is cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP)?
A surgical procedure that is completed as a last resort effort to help reduce intracranial pressure by removing a portion of the skull allowing the brain to swell.
What is a craniectomy?
Shifting of the brain tissue from one compartment to another that places increased pressure on the cerebral vessels and vital centers of the brain
What is cerebral herniation?
Dura Mater, Arachnoid, Pia Mater
Inflammation of the three membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord.
What are the meninges?
What is meningitis?
Bradycardia, systolic hypertension, and decreased respiration
What is Cushings Triad?
Normal measurement of cerebral perfusion pressure to maintain adequate oxygenation of brain tissue?
What is 60-80 mmHg?
What is the most simple step that a nurse can take to assist in decreasing ICP (positioning).
Elevate head of bed
A permanent cessation to all function that sustain a living organism
What is death?