A patient is admitted to the hospital after a head injury. The nurse notes a widening pulse pressure. Which of the following actions is most appropriate?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Widening pulse pressure, which is the difference between the systolic and diastolic blood pressures, can indicate increased intracranial pressure (ICP) and can be a sign of cerebral herniation. Raising the head of the bed can help decrease ICP, and notifying the RN will allow for further assessment and potential interventions such as administering medications or ordering imaging studies. Lay the bed flat and checking pupil response is not effective in treating widening pulse pressure. Giving an extra dose of diuretic is not appropriate without further assessment and can potentially worsen the patient's condition.

A Patient Is Admitted to the Hospital After a Head