An adult client with a closed head injury was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) one hour ago following a motor vehicle collision. The client's telemetry displays normal sinus rhythm. After placing an intraventricular cannula for intracranial pressure monitoring, the healthcare provider (HCP) prescribes protocols for IV infusions of mannitol and dopamine. Which nursing intervention has the highest priority?
Observe vital signs sequences as a way of assessing for Cushing's triad.
Evaluate hourly urinary output.
Monitor arterial blood pressure.
Assess intracranial pressure following intracranial transducer placement.
The Correct Answer is D
A. Observe vital signs sequences as a way of assessing for Cushing's triad. Cushing’s triad (hypertension with widened pulse pressure, bradycardia, and irregular respirations) is a late sign of increased intracranial pressure (ICP). While monitoring for it is important, early recognition and direct ICP monitoring are more effective in preventing deterioration.
B. Evaluate hourly urinary output. Mannitol is an osmotic diuretic that can cause significant diuresis, requiring close monitoring of urine output to prevent dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. However, assessing ICP is the priority because increased ICP can cause brain herniation, which is life-threatening.
C. Monitor arterial blood pressure. Dopamine is a vasopressor used to maintain cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP), which is crucial in head injury management. While blood pressure monitoring is essential, directly assessing ICP ensures that treatment is effective in preventing secondary brain injury.
D. Assess intracranial pressure following intracranial transducer placement. The highest priority is monitoring ICP immediately after placement to detect dangerous elevations that could lead to herniation. The intraventricular catheter provides real-time pressure readings, guiding interventions like mannitol administration and blood pressure control to optimize cerebral perfusion and prevent worsening neurological damage.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Prepare for oral intubation. The client is in severe respiratory distress with oxygen saturation at 88% despite receiving 100% oxygen via a nonrebreather mask. This suggests respiratory failure, likely due to a pulmonary embolism (PE), a known complication following bariatric surgery. Immediate intubation and mechanical ventilation are necessary to prevent further hypoxia and respiratory collapse.
B. Apply leg compression hose. While deep vein thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis is essential for postoperative bariatric patients, it is not the priority in an acute emergency. Compression devices help prevent clots but do not treat an existing life-threatening pulmonary embolism.
C. Maintain head of bed at 45°. Elevating the head of the bed can help with breathing, but it will not significantly improve oxygenation in a client already failing on 100% oxygen. The priority is to secure the airway with intubation to provide controlled ventilation.
D. Administer an anticoagulant. Anticoagulation is a key treatment for pulmonary embolism, but it does not immediately improve oxygenation or stabilize respiratory function. In a hemodynamically unstable client with severe hypoxia, securing the airway takes priority before initiating anticoagulation therapy.
Correct Answer is ["A","B","C","D"]
Explanation
A. Respiratory rate of 26 breaths/minute. A respiratory rate ≥22 breaths/minute meets the SIRS criteria and indicates systemic inflammation or respiratory distress. In pneumonia, increased breathing effort may result from hypoxia or infection-related metabolic demands. Persistent tachypnea suggests worsening sepsis and requires urgent intervention.
B. Heart rate of 112 beats/minute. A heart rate ≥90 beats/minute is a SIRS criterion, often caused by infection, hypoxia, or systemic inflammation. In pneumonia, tachycardia may result from fever, pain, or compensatory mechanisms due to decreased oxygenation. An elevated heart rate in sepsis may indicate progressing hemodynamic instability.
C. Temperature of 96.1° F (35.6°C). Hypothermia (<96.8°F/36°C) is a SIRS criterion and may indicate severe sepsis or systemic inflammatory response. While fever is a common response, low temperature suggests immune system dysfunction. Hypothermia in sepsis is linked to poor prognosis and increased mortality risk.
D. White blood count of 14,000/mm³ (14 x 10⁹/L). A WBC >12,000/mm³ or <4,000/mm³ meets SIRS criteria and indicates infection-related immune activation. Elevated WBCs suggest an active inflammatory response to pneumonia. A rising WBC count may indicate worsening infection or ineffective immune control.
E. Hemoglobin of 12.8 gram/dL (7.94 mmol/L). Hemoglobin levels within the normal range (12-16 g/dL) do not indicate SIRS or sepsis progression. While anemia can develop in chronic illness or bleeding, this value does not contribute to SIRS classification. Monitoring oxygenation and perfusion is more relevant in pneumonia cases.
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