A patient becomes flaccid with fixed and dilated pupils. The ...

[D2AR0N]

A patient becomes flaccid with fixed and dilated pupils. The patient's ICP falls from 65 to 12 mm Hg. What should the nurse suspect is happening?
 
  a. The patient is having a seizure.
  b. The patient's brain has herniated.
  c. The patient's cerebral edema is resolving.
  d. The patient is excessively dehydrated from the mannitol.

Question 2

A patient's arterial line waveform has become damped. The nurse should
 
  a. check for kinks, blood, and air bubbles in the tubing.
  b. prepare for a normal saline fluid challenge for hypotension.
  c. discontinue the arterial line.
  d. check the patient's lung sounds.

[angrybirds13579]

Answer to Question 1

B
Herniation of intracerebral contents results in the shifting of tissue from one compartment of the brain to another and places pressure on cerebral vessels and vital function centers of the brain. If unchecked, herniation rapidly causes death as a result of the cessation of cerebral blood flow and respirations. Signs and symptoms of brain herniation include fixed and dilated pupils, flaccidity, and respiratory arrest. The intracranial pressure drops as the pressure is relieved by shifting the intracranial components downward.

Answer to Question 2

A
A damped waveform occurs when communication from the artery to the transducer is interrupted and produces false values on the monitor and oscilloscope. Damping is caused by a fibrin sleeve that partially occludes the tip of the catheter, by kinks in the catheter or tubing, or by air bubbles in the system.

[D2AR0N]

TYSM

[bulacsom]

Excellent