Which of the following statement are true regarding the use of hyperventilation in the management of patients with TBI?
I.Hyperventilation is effective for only about 24 to 48 hours.
II.Hyperventilating patients with TBI to a PaCO₂ less than 30 mm Hg increases the danger of cerebral ischemia.
III.Every patient with TBI should be hyperventilated, at least during the first 24 hours.
IV.Hyperventilation therapy should be considered only for patients with high ICPs.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In TBI, hyperventilation therapy should be considered only for patients with high ICPs; no benefit can be expected if ICP is normal. They further concluded that hyperventilation is most appropriate in the second or third day after injury because cerebral blood flow is lowest in the first 24 hours after injury, and the risk of inducing ischemia through hyperventilation is greatest in this time frame. The authors advise against hyperventilating TBI patients to a PaCO? less than 30 mm Hg because this increases the danger of cerebral ischemia. Finally, it is important to understand that hyperventilation is effective for only about 24 to 48 hours because compensatory renal elimination of bicarbonate restores the acid-base balance, negating the vasoconstrictive effect of hypocapnia.

Which of the Following Statement Are True Regarding the Use