The nurse, planning care for a client recovering from a traumatic brain injury, is including interventions to prevent sympathetic storming. Which of the following should be included in this client's plan of care? (Select all that apply.)

Question

1. Medicate for pain prior to conducting a painful procedure.
2. Elevated blood pressure indicates a sympathetic storm is ending.
3. Continue suctioning until the client's heart rate is greater than 100 beats per minute.
4. Cardiac arrhythmias indicate a drop in intracranial pressure.
5. Provide beta-blockers as prescribed with symptoms of sympathetic storm.
6. If symptoms of sympathetic storm do not appear within 24 hours, the client will not develop this health problem.

Answer 1

1, 5
The nurse should medicate the client for pain prior to conducting a painful procedure and provide beta-blockers as prescribed with symptoms of a sympathetic storm. An elevated blood pressure is a symptom of sympathetic storm. An elevated heart rate is a symptom of sympathetic storming. Cardiac arrhythmias are also a symptom of a sympathetic storm and do not indicate a drop in intracranial pressure. Symptoms of sympathetic storming can occur within 24 hours after a traumatic brain injury and can reoccur periodically during the recovery process.