(^228) Medical-Surgical Nursing Demystified
enters the healthcare system the better. Some patients will incur permanent dis-
ability from the irreversible damage that occurs to the brain. These patients may
be in need of long-term custodial care.
HALLMARK SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
- Fever due to infection
- Nausea and vomiting due to increased intracranial pressure
- Stiff neck due to meningeal irritation
- Drowsiness, lethargy, or stupor due to increased intracranial pressure
- Altered mental status—irritability, confusion, disorientation, personality change
- Headache due to increased intracranial pressure
- Seizure activity possible due to irritation of brain tissue
INTERPRETING TEST RESULTS
- Blood cultures used to help identify organism when patient is febrile.
TREATMENT
- Monitor respiratory status for compromise.
- Monitor vital signs for widened pulse pressure and bradycardia—signs of
increased intracranial pressure. - Monitor neurologic function for change.
- Administer corticosteroid to decrease inflammation:
- dexamethasone
- Administer antipyretics to reduce fever:
- acetaminophen
- Administer anticonvulsants to decrease chance of seizure activity:
- phenytoin, phenobarbital
- Administer diuretics to decrease cerebral edema, if indicated: