What should you do if you suspect a patient has increased ICP and herniation?
A brain injury or some other health problem can cause growing pressure inside your skull. This dangerous condition is called increased intracranial pressure (ICP). It can lead to a headache. It can also further injure your brain or spinal cord. Show
This kind of headache is an emergency. It requires medical care right away. The sooner you get help, the more likely you are to recover. What causes increased ICP?Causes of increased ICP are:
What are the symptoms of increased ICP?These are the most common symptoms of increased ICP:
These symptoms may look like other health problems. Always see your healthcare provider for a diagnosis. How is increased ICP diagnosed?To diagnose increased ICP, your healthcare provider will ask about your past health and do a physical exam. You may also need:
How is increased ICP treated?Increased ICP is an emergency. Treatment might include:
The medical staff may put a pressure monitor (ICP monitor) through a hole in your skull so they can change the amount of medicine if needed. You may also be treated for the underlying cause of your increased ICP, such as an infection, high blood pressure, tumor, or stroke. What are possible complications of increased ICP?Increased ICP has serious complications, such as:
Can increased ICP be prevented?You can lower your risk of certain health problems that may lead to increased ICP, such as:
When should I call my healthcare provider?Call your healthcare provider or 911 if you think you may be having symptoms of increased ICP, such as:
Key points about increased ICP
Next stepsTips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider:
Medical Reviewer: Joseph Campellone MD Medical Reviewer: Marianne Fraser MSN RN Medical Reviewer: Raymond Kent Turley BSN MSN RN © 2000-2022 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions. What is nursing priority with patient with increased ICP?If a patient is suspected of having increased ICP, immediate interventions should include securing the airway, maintaining adequate oxygenation and ventilation, and providing circulatory support as needed.
Does increased ICP cause herniation?Brain herniation results from increased intracranial pressure (ICP), which may be caused by space-occupying lesions, generalized swelling or edema of the brain, increased venous pressure, or obstruction of cerebrospinal flow (CSF) flow.
What is the initial treatment for managing increased ICP?Medical management of increased ICP should include sedation, drainage of CSF, and osmotherapy with either mannitol or hypertonic saline. For intracranial hypertension refractory to initial medical management, barbiturate coma, hypothermia, or decompressive craniectomy should be considered.
What position should a patient with increased ICP be in?In most patients with intracranial hypertension, head and trunk elevation up to 30 degrees is useful in helping to decrease ICP, providing that a safe CPP of at least 70 mmHg or even 80 mmHg is maintained. Patients in poor haemodynamic conditions are best nursed flat.
|