A patient has experienced a subarachnoid hemorrhage and is at risk for increased intracranial pressure (ICP) due to the initiation of the vasodilatory cascade. The nurse plans care for this patient to avoid which primary initiating factor?

Question

1. Vasoconstriction of cerebral vessels
2. Cerebral tissue ischemia
3. Decreased cerebral perfusion pressure
4. Cerebral edema

Answer 1

2
Rationale 1: Vasoconstriction of cerebral blood vessels is not a cause of ICP.
Rationale 2: The vasodilatory cascade is a series of events triggered by hypoxia, with the result being increased ICP.
Rationale 3: Depressed cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) is a decrease in the pressure gradient that drives cerebral blood flow.
Rationale 4: Cerebral edema may be a result of the vasodilatory cascade but is not its cause.