The nurse is caring for a patient with a head injury involving cerebral edema and increased intracranial pressure (IICP). To prevent further transient increases from occurring, the nurse should implement what intervention?
1. Implement measures to help the patient avoid coughing and straining.
2. Position the patient in the supine position with the head of the bed at 30 degrees.
3. Initiate oxygen administration.
4. Initiate and monitor an IV with normal saline.
Correct Answer: 1
Coughing and straining can cause transient increases in ICP and should be avoided in this situation. Keeping the patient supine at 30 degrees, administering oxygen, and providing an isotonic IV solution are all appropriate measures to care for this patient but are not helpful in preventing further increases in ICP.
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