Intracranial Hypertension: Monitoring and Nursing Assessment

In the treatment of intracranial hypertension, intracranial pressure monitoring and waveform analysis enable real-time evaluation of alterations in cerebral physiology, facilitating rapid intervention and optimal outcomes.

Intracranial hypertension can lead to potentially catastrophic consequences,¹ including permanent neurological damage and disability. Intracranial hypertension may be due to central nervous system infection, brain edema, cerebral hemorrhage or ischemic injury, or brain trauma. Traumatic brain injury is a major cause of morbidity and mortality; it accounted for 50000 deaths in 1998.² Fatality may not result from the immediate traumatic or hemorrhagic injury; rather, progressive damage to brain tissue may develop over time.³ Brain damage becomes even more progressive if intracranial hypertension is a consequence of injury.⁴ Astute nursing assessment and early, aggressive resuscitation of critically ill patients may prolong life. With brain trauma, the initial injury can be avoided only by using primary prevention strategies.^1,5 Rapid control...