An infant with hydrocephalus has a ventriculoperitoneal shunt inserted. Immediately following the procedure, which nursing action would best prevent decompression from excessive CSF flow?

Question

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Following the surgery for the initial shunt insertion, the infant's bed should be left flat or raised only about 10 degrees so the head remains level with the body. This is to ensure that CSF does not flow too rapidly, possibly leading to tearing of cerebral arteries or signs of too rapid decompression. The infant's head should not be raised 60 degrees. Upper extremity exercise is not contraindicated after placement of the shunt. The patient's head should not be positioned dependent to the body.

An Infant with Hydrocephalus Has a Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Inserted