A patient with increased intracranial pressure is prescribed mannitol for the management of the increased pressure. The nurse realizes that this medication will

Question

1. increase the blood viscosity.
2. draw fluid from the edematous cerebral tissue into the vascular space.
3. decrease the cerebral blood flow.
4. stabilize the capillary membranes of the cerebral tissue preventing edema.

Answer 1

2

Rationale: Mannitol is an osmotic diuretic that works by pulling fluid from the cerebral interstitial spaces into the vascular space. Mannitol decreases blood viscosity, and does not increase it. Mannitol also increases cerebral blood flow and does not decrease it. Mannitol does not stabilize the capillary membranes of the cerebral tissue to prevent edema. This is the action of another medication.