Nursing 251 ; Intracranial Pressure (ICP) Questions With
Complete Solutions
1. When one part of the cranial components (brain, blood, or csf)
increases, another must decrease in order for ICP to stay within
normal range
2. This intracranial compensation is limited as the cranial vault
is inflexible
3. Small changes in total volume may greatly increase ICP
Correct Answer Monro-Kelli Doctrine
An elevated ICP is considered any value greater than _____
mmHg. Immediate treatment is needed for ICP of _____ mmHg
or greater. Correct Answer 15 ; 20
Head injury patients:
1. Administer heparin/lovenox for _____ prophylaxis
2. Strict glycemic control: < _____ mg/dL
3. Administer TPN/tube feed for adequate ______
4. Use proshield for _____ care Correct Answer 1. DVT
(immobile)
2. < 110 (hyperglycemia leads to worse outcomes)
3. Nutrition
4. Skin
How do loop diuretics work to decrease ICP? Correct Answer
Assists in fluid removal via the kidneys
*Gaining popularity
, How do osmotic diuretics work to decrease ICP? Correct
Answer Actively pulls fluid from swollen brain tissue and
removes via urine
How does a neuromuscular blockade work to decrease ICP?
Correct Answer It is a paralysis to decrease metabolic demand
- Have NO affect on pain sensation or on awareness
How often would you do neuro checks and VS? Correct
Answer Q 15 min x 1 hr, q 30 min x 2 hr, then q hour
If we don't fix someones rising ICP, what will occur? Correct
Answer Brain herniation (pushed out of place and into a new
location) due to increased ICP
-> The squished brain tissue leads to lessened perfusion/death of
neurons
Pressure exerted by the total volume from the three components
within the skull Correct Answer Intracranial pressure
T or F ; In neuro injury, if pressure goes up the compensatory
mechanisms commonly fail meaning the body no longer can
auto regulate blood supply to the brain Correct Answer True!
The brain will self _____ to keep blood flow constant until
compensatory mechanisms fail or severe injury occurs Correct
Answer Regulate
-> It can vasodilate/vasoconstrict carotid arteries and veins in
order to be able to increase or decrease blood supply as needed
to meet their needs
Complete Solutions
1. When one part of the cranial components (brain, blood, or csf)
increases, another must decrease in order for ICP to stay within
normal range
2. This intracranial compensation is limited as the cranial vault
is inflexible
3. Small changes in total volume may greatly increase ICP
Correct Answer Monro-Kelli Doctrine
An elevated ICP is considered any value greater than _____
mmHg. Immediate treatment is needed for ICP of _____ mmHg
or greater. Correct Answer 15 ; 20
Head injury patients:
1. Administer heparin/lovenox for _____ prophylaxis
2. Strict glycemic control: < _____ mg/dL
3. Administer TPN/tube feed for adequate ______
4. Use proshield for _____ care Correct Answer 1. DVT
(immobile)
2. < 110 (hyperglycemia leads to worse outcomes)
3. Nutrition
4. Skin
How do loop diuretics work to decrease ICP? Correct Answer
Assists in fluid removal via the kidneys
*Gaining popularity
, How do osmotic diuretics work to decrease ICP? Correct
Answer Actively pulls fluid from swollen brain tissue and
removes via urine
How does a neuromuscular blockade work to decrease ICP?
Correct Answer It is a paralysis to decrease metabolic demand
- Have NO affect on pain sensation or on awareness
How often would you do neuro checks and VS? Correct
Answer Q 15 min x 1 hr, q 30 min x 2 hr, then q hour
If we don't fix someones rising ICP, what will occur? Correct
Answer Brain herniation (pushed out of place and into a new
location) due to increased ICP
-> The squished brain tissue leads to lessened perfusion/death of
neurons
Pressure exerted by the total volume from the three components
within the skull Correct Answer Intracranial pressure
T or F ; In neuro injury, if pressure goes up the compensatory
mechanisms commonly fail meaning the body no longer can
auto regulate blood supply to the brain Correct Answer True!
The brain will self _____ to keep blood flow constant until
compensatory mechanisms fail or severe injury occurs Correct
Answer Regulate
-> It can vasodilate/vasoconstrict carotid arteries and veins in
order to be able to increase or decrease blood supply as needed
to meet their needs
