A 45-year-old male patient presents to the emergency department with a sudden onset of severe headache, vomiting, and confusion. Based on his symptoms and history of a recent head injury, what intervention is most appropriate for managing suspected increased intracranial pressure?
Elevate the head of the bed to 30 degrees
Administer mannitol immediately
Continuously monitor the patient's neurological status
Prepare for immediate intubation and mechanical ventilation
Elevating the head of the bed to 30 degrees helps in reducing intracranial pressure by promoting venous drainage from the brain and decreasing venous blood volume within the skull. Monitoring neurological status continuously is crucial to detect any worsening condition but does not directly address the elevated ICP initially. While administering mannitol is a treatment modality, it should be done under careful consideration due to potential rapid shifts in fluid balance. Intubation and mechanical ventilation may be required for severe cases but are not the primary initial steps without respiratory compromise.
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Neurological Emergencies
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