A patient admitted with a diffuse axonal injury has a systemic blood pressure (BP) of 106/52 mm Hg and an intracranial pressure (ICP) of 14 mm Hg. Which action should the nurse take first?
a. Document the BP and ICP in the patient's record.
b. Report the BP and ICP to the health care provider.
c. Elevate the head of the patient's bed to 60 degrees.
d. Continue to monitor the patient's vital signs and ICP.
ANS: B
Calculate the cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP): (CPP = mean arterial pressure [MAP] – ICP). MAP = DBP + 1/3 (systolic blood pressure [SBP] – diastolic blood pressure [DBP]). Therefore the (MAP) is 70 and the CPP is 56 mm Hg, which is below the normal of 60 to 100 mm Hg and approaching the level of ischemia and neuronal death. Immediate changes in the patient's therapy such as fluid infusion or vasopressor administration are needed to improve the cerebral perfusion pressure. Adjustments in the head elevation should only be done after consulting with the health care provider. Continued monitoring and documentation will also be done, but they are not the first actions that the nurse should take.
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