NSG 233 MED SURG III EXAM 2 2025/2026
BANK CURRENTLY TESTING
COMPLETE ACTUAL QUESTIONS WITH
DETAILED VERIFIED ANSWERS
EXPERT VERIFIED /ALREADY GRADED
A+
What are the three types of cerebral edema? Define them.
Hint: VIC - ....ANSWER...1. Vasogenic: most common.
Headache, coma, tumor, toxins. Accumulation of fluid in
extravascular spaces in the brain.
2. Interstitial: like hydrocephalus.
3. Cytotoxic: destructive lesions, trauma, anything
disrupting membranes.
What diagnostic studies are used for head injury care? -
....ANSWER...CT scan!
MRI (more detail).
EEG (brain impulses and brain activity).
,Cerebral angiography.
Transcranial Dopler
PET scan
Licox catheter - measures brain tissue oxygenation.
If a patient has increased ICP, what procedure cannot be
performed? Why? - ....ANSWER...Lumbar Puncture!
Will cause the spinal cord to herniate.
How does the body compensate to maintain normal ICP? -
....ANSWER...Compensation (Monroe Kelley doctrine):
CSF volume can change, fluid can be displaced, cerebral
veins will collapse, or brain tissue will be compressed.
What are the clinical manifestations of ICP and how do
you assess them? - ....ANSWER...s/s that are related to
Cushing's triad. Altered mental status. Ocular s/s may
occur, decrease in motor function (GCS).
,Decorticate: going towards the body.
Decerebrate: going away from the body (worse).
Headache (especially if nocturnal) May wake the patient
up during the night.
Vomiting (projectile and not preceded by nausea).
What is a normal ICP value and at what level should you
be concerned? - ....ANSWER...Normal: 0-10 (but up to
15).
Concerned: 15 or higher (but watch the trend. If it is
rising, then do something).
What are the common causes of increased ICP? -
....ANSWER...Masses, hematoma, contusion, tumor,
cerebral edema (head injury) and hydrocephalus.
, Define cerebral blood flow (CBF). - ....ANSWER...Amount
of blood in mL passing through 100 grams of brain tissue in
one minute.
What two things does the brain need to survive? -
....ANSWER...Oxygen and Glucose.
What is the first symptom/sign of increased ICP? -
....ANSWER...Mentation changes (anxiety, confusion,
agitation, restless).
What is CPP? What are the normal values? -
....ANSWER...Cerebral perfusion pressure: pressure needed
for blood to reach the brain.
Normal: 60-100 mmHg.
Ischemic: less than 50 mmHg.
Incompatible with life: less than 30 mmHg.
BANK CURRENTLY TESTING
COMPLETE ACTUAL QUESTIONS WITH
DETAILED VERIFIED ANSWERS
EXPERT VERIFIED /ALREADY GRADED
A+
What are the three types of cerebral edema? Define them.
Hint: VIC - ....ANSWER...1. Vasogenic: most common.
Headache, coma, tumor, toxins. Accumulation of fluid in
extravascular spaces in the brain.
2. Interstitial: like hydrocephalus.
3. Cytotoxic: destructive lesions, trauma, anything
disrupting membranes.
What diagnostic studies are used for head injury care? -
....ANSWER...CT scan!
MRI (more detail).
EEG (brain impulses and brain activity).
,Cerebral angiography.
Transcranial Dopler
PET scan
Licox catheter - measures brain tissue oxygenation.
If a patient has increased ICP, what procedure cannot be
performed? Why? - ....ANSWER...Lumbar Puncture!
Will cause the spinal cord to herniate.
How does the body compensate to maintain normal ICP? -
....ANSWER...Compensation (Monroe Kelley doctrine):
CSF volume can change, fluid can be displaced, cerebral
veins will collapse, or brain tissue will be compressed.
What are the clinical manifestations of ICP and how do
you assess them? - ....ANSWER...s/s that are related to
Cushing's triad. Altered mental status. Ocular s/s may
occur, decrease in motor function (GCS).
,Decorticate: going towards the body.
Decerebrate: going away from the body (worse).
Headache (especially if nocturnal) May wake the patient
up during the night.
Vomiting (projectile and not preceded by nausea).
What is a normal ICP value and at what level should you
be concerned? - ....ANSWER...Normal: 0-10 (but up to
15).
Concerned: 15 or higher (but watch the trend. If it is
rising, then do something).
What are the common causes of increased ICP? -
....ANSWER...Masses, hematoma, contusion, tumor,
cerebral edema (head injury) and hydrocephalus.
, Define cerebral blood flow (CBF). - ....ANSWER...Amount
of blood in mL passing through 100 grams of brain tissue in
one minute.
What two things does the brain need to survive? -
....ANSWER...Oxygen and Glucose.
What is the first symptom/sign of increased ICP? -
....ANSWER...Mentation changes (anxiety, confusion,
agitation, restless).
What is CPP? What are the normal values? -
....ANSWER...Cerebral perfusion pressure: pressure needed
for blood to reach the brain.
Normal: 60-100 mmHg.
Ischemic: less than 50 mmHg.
Incompatible with life: less than 30 mmHg.
