Crucial Exams

BCEN CEN Practice Question

A 44-year-old patient presents to the emergency department with a closed head injury after a motor-vehicle collision. The patient exhibits decorticate posturing and has a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 8. Head CT shows a subdural hematoma. Which nursing intervention should be prioritized to reduce the patient's increased intracranial pressure?

  • Administer a stool softener to prevent Valsalva-induced pressure spikes during defecation.

  • Elevate the head of the bed to approximately 30° while maintaining cervical-spine alignment.

  • Provide a quiet, low-stimulation environment to reduce cerebral metabolic demand.

  • Immediately give an osmotic diuretic to draw fluid from brain tissue.

BCEN CEN
Neurological Emergencies
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