The nurse is assisting with planning care for a client who has a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Which of the following relates to a high mortality rate for a client who has an SAH?

A. "Have you had any trauma to the eye?": Trauma to the eye can be a significant risk factor for retinal detachment. Inquiring about any history of eye trauma is essential to understand potential causes or contributing factors.

D. "Do you wear sunglasses when in direct sunlight?": Prolonged exposure to sunlight without eye protection can increase the risk of retinal detachment. Wearing sunglasses with UV protection can help prevent eye damage, including retinal detachment.

E. "Do you take steroids?": Steroid use, especially long-term or systemic steroids, can increase the risk of developing retinal detachment. Steroids may lead to changes in the structure and integrity of ocular tissues, predisposing individuals to retinal detachment.

Options B and C are not directly related to the risk factors for retinal detachment:

B. "Do you regularly lift heavy objects?" - Regularly lifting heavy objects can increase pressure in the eyes, which can contribute to retinal detachment.:

C. "How much sodium is in your diet?": Sodium intake is not directly linked to the risk of retinal detachment. While diet and nutrition play a role in overall eye health, sodium consumption is not a specific risk factor for retinal detachment.

A. Completing hourly endotracheal suctioning: Hourly endotracheal suctioning is not typically indicated for a client with increased intracranial pressure (ICP). Frequent suctioning can lead to increased intrathoracic pressure and potentially compromise venous return, which may further elevate ICP. Suctioning should be performed as needed to maintain airway patency while minimizing the risk of increasing ICP.

B. Ensuring proper ventriculostomy transducer levels: Ensuring proper ventriculostomy transducer levels is important for accurate measurement of intracranial pressure (ICP) but may not directly alleviate elevated ICP. Monitoring ICP through ventriculostomy allows for timely detection of changes in ICP, which can guide interventions to manage elevated pressure levels. However, it is not a direct intervention to reduce ICP.

C. Monitoring volume status: Monitoring volume status is important in managing a client with increased intracranial pressure (ICP) as both hypovolemia and hypervolemia can impact ICP. However, monitoring volume status alone does not directly address elevated ICP. Interventions to optimize volume status, such as fluid administration or diuresis, may be implemented based on assessment findings, but they should be done cautiously to avoid exacerbating cerebral edema or altering cerebral perfusion.

D. Elevating the head of the bed 15°: Elevating the head of the bed 15° (or higher) is a crucial intervention for managing a client with increased intracranial pressure (ICP). This position helps promote venous drainage from the brain, reducing venous congestion and intracranial pressure. Elevating the head of the bed also helps prevent cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from pooling in the brain, which can further increase ICP. Placing the client in a semi-upright position is a standard practice in managing ICP and is recommended in various clinical guidelines.