general nursing science

[mandy408]

what are the signs and symptoms of increased intracranial pressure?

[caregiver222]

In terms of nursing, a patient that comes in with blunt force injury to the head, especially when there is a loss of consciousness, must be presumed to be developing increased intracranial pressure. Besides the obvious signs such as a blown pupil, confusion and visual disturbances the nurse must be attentive to closely monitor the patients respirations and blood pressure, especially during the first hour. Make sure the pressures are taken from the same arm. Review the pressures taken on scene by the EMT's or paramedics. Compare and contrast.  Blood pressure and observations should be taken every ten minutes and note made of an increase in systolic blood pressure, reduction of the heart rate (bradycardia), and irregular respirations, particuliarly fast and rapid respirations. These patients go to the head of the triage line. Start a line with D5W on KVO. Hospital protocols vary, but often a steroid is injected through the IV line. Small burr holes may be drilled in the skull to relieve the pressure.

[CKN30]

Headache, vomiting, vision disturbances (eyes not focusing, going different directions), decreased level of conscious, pupils not the same size