Preoperative Care: Nursing Management
- Obtain baseline neurologic assessment
- Assess patient and family understanding of and preparation for surgery.
- Provide information, reassurance, and support
Postoperative Care
- Postoperative care is aimed at detecting and reducing cerebral edema, relieving pain,
preventing seizures, monitoring ICP, and neurologic status.
- The patient may be intubated and have arterial and central venous lines.
Nursing Process: The Care of the Patient Undergoing Intracranial Surgery:
Assessment
- Careful, frequent monitoring of respiratory function including ABGs
- Monitor VS and LOC frequently; note any potential signs of increasing ICP
- Assess dressing and for evidence of bleeding or CSF drainage
- Monitor for potential seizures; if seizures occur, carefully record and report these
- Monitor for signs and symptoms of complications
- Monitor fluid status and laboratory data
Diagnoses
- Ineffective cerebral tissue perfusion
- Risk for imbalanced body temperature
- Potential for impaired gas exchange
- Disturbed sensory perception
- Body image disturbance
- Impaired communication (aphasia)
- Risk for impaired skin integrity
- Impaired physical mobility
Collaborative Problems/Potential Complications
- Increased ICP
- Bleeding and hypovolemic shock