The nurse is caring for a patient with a head injury involving cerebral edema and increased intracranial pressure (IICP). To prevent further transient increases from occurring, the nurse should implement what intervention?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Coughing and straining can cause transient increases in IICP, so implementing measures to help the patient avoid these actions can prevent further increases. Positioning the patient in the supine position with the head of the bed at 30 degrees and initiating oxygen administration are interventions that can help decrease IICP, but they do not prevent transient increases from occurring. Initiating and monitoring an IV with normal saline is a standard intervention to maintain hydration, but it does not specifically address preventing transient increases in IICP.

The Nurse Is Caring for a Patient with a Head