Neurological Critical Care Flashcards
7 cards from real CCRN practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Neurological Critical Care flashcards as text
A patient with a severe traumatic brain injury has an ICP of 25 mmHg and a MAP of 80 mmHg. What is the cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP)?
Answer: 55 mmHg
CPP equals MAP minus ICP, so 80 minus 25 equals 55 mmHg.
Which finding is the earliest and most sensitive indicator of increasing intracranial pressure?
Answer: Change in level of consciousness
A declining level of consciousness is the earliest and most sensitive sign of rising ICP.
Cushing's triad, a late sign of increased ICP, consists of which combination?
Answer: Hypertension with widening pulse pressure, bradycardia, and irregular respirations
Cushing's triad is widening pulse pressure (rising systolic), bradycardia, and irregular respirations.
A patient receiving mannitol for elevated ICP should be monitored most closely for which complication?
Answer: Serum hyperosmolality and dehydration
Mannitol's osmotic diuresis can cause dehydration and dangerously high serum osmolality.
Which position is most appropriate to optimize cerebral venous drainage in a patient with increased ICP?
Answer: Head of bed at 30 degrees with the head midline
Elevating the head 30 degrees and keeping it midline promotes venous outflow and lowers ICP.
A patient with a TBI suddenly develops polyuria with dilute urine, hypernatremia, and rising serum osmolality. Which condition is most likely?
Answer: Diabetes insipidus
Diabetes insipidus causes large volumes of dilute urine with hypernatremia from ADH deficiency.
What is the primary goal of maintaining normocapnia (PaCO2 35-45 mmHg) in a patient with elevated ICP?
Answer: To avoid cerebral vasoconstriction or vasodilation that worsens perfusion or pressure
CO2 strongly affects cerebral vessel caliber, so normocapnia prevents harmful vasoconstriction or vasodilation.