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The patient will receive life support measures until the condition stabilizes. Supportive measures may be necessary but are not definitive treatment in the presence of a large hematoma and depressed fracture.

Immediate burr holes will be made to rapidly decompress the intracranial cavity. Burr holes are used as an emergency measure in certain situations, but definitive management of this case requires a craniotomy.

The patient will be treated conservatively with close monitoring for changes in neurologic status. Conservative treatment may be appropriate for minor injuries, but not for a depressed fracture with hematoma, which requires surgical evacuation.

Monitor for changes in neurologic status. Neurologic monitoring is very important but is not the first priority before spinal stabilization is ensured.

Determine the presence of increased ICP. Increased ICP assessment is necessary, but maintaining spinal stability comes first in the initial emergency phase.

Establish IV access with a large-bore catheter. IV access is important for fluid and medication administration but should be done only after airway and spine stabilization.

Continuous improvement in the patient’s condition should occur until he has returned to pretrauma status. Full recovery to baseline is not always realistic, and improvement often plateaus after the initial recovery phase.

The patient’s complete recovery may take years and the family should plan for his long-term dependent care. While recovery can be prolonged, most clients with subacute subdural hematomas do not require lifelong dependence.

Role changes in family members will be necessary because the patient will be dependent on his family for care and support. The patient may not be fully dependent, but may need emotional and cognitive support rather than total caregiving.

Remove a hematoma. Hematoma evacuation is a separate surgical procedure, not the main purpose of a decompressive craniectomy.

Stop active bleeding. Controlling bleeding may be part of initial surgical management, but the craniectomy itself is aimed at ICP control.

Repair a depressed skull fracture. Skull fracture repair involves elevation or fixation of bone fragments, which differs from decompression.

Decreasing blood pressure. While diuresis may indirectly influence volume status, mannitol is not primarily used as an antihypertensive.

Inducing a coma to decrease the brain’s oxygen needs. Barbiturates, not mannitol, may be used to induce a coma in refractory ICP.

Preventing seizures that could further damage the brain. Anticonvulsants are used for seizure prevention, not osmotic diuretics.