Nursing Interventions - Goals & Outcomes

Double-Helix, BSN, RN · Nov 8, 2011

And EVD drains cerebral spinal fluid from the brain into a device outside the body. In order to drain effectively, the EVD first has to be set to the correct pressure level. Then, the device has to be leveled with the tragus of the ear. It's very sensitive to patient position. If the patient sits up or lays down when the device is open, the EVD won't drain appropriately (too much or too little).

So, based on that, what can you do as a nurse to prevent (primary) changes in ICP?

Secondary prevention = screening. So how will you screen (assess) the patient for changes in ICP?

Finally, if they patient develops increased ICP what will you do to treat it (tertiary)? What medications can you give? How can you adjust the EVD? How would you position the patient?

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Nov 8, 2011

there are three ways to monitor pressure in the skull (intracranial pressure).

intraventricular catheter

the intraventricular catheter is thought to be the most accurate method.

to insert an intraventricular catheter, a burr hole is drilled through the skull. the catheter is inserted through the brain into the lateral ventricle. this area usually contains liquid (cerebrospinal fluid or csf) that protects the brain and spinal cord.

the intracranial pressure (icp) can be monitored this way. the icp also can be lowered by draining cerebral spinal fluid (csf) out through the catheter.

the catheter may be hard to get into place when the intracranial pressure is high.

subdural screw

this method is used if the patient needs to be monitored right away. a subdural screw or bolt is a hollow screw that is inserted through a hole drilled in the skull. it is placed through the membrane that protects the brain and spinal cord (dura mater). this allows the sensor to record from inside the subdural space.

epidural sensor

if an epidural sensor is used, it is inserted between the skull and dural tissue. the epidural sensor is placed through a burr hole drilled in the skull. this procedure is less [color=#005988]invasive than other methods, but it cannot remove excess csf.

lidocaine or another local anesthetic will be injected at the site where the cut will be made. you will most likely get a sedative to help you relax.

first the area is shaved and cleansed with antiseptic.
after the area is dry, a surgical cut is made. the skin is pulled back until the skull is seen.
a drill is then used to cut through the bone.

http://www.aann.org/uploads/aann11_icpevdnew.pdf

this is usually done to measure intracranial pressure. it is usually done when there is a severe head injury or brain/nervous system disease. it also may be done after surgery to remove a tumor or fix damage to a blood vessel if the surgeon is worried about brain swelling.

high intracranial pressure can be treated by draining csf through the catheter. it can also be treated by changing the ventilator settings for people who are on a respirator, or by giving certain medicines through a vein (intravenously).

normal results

normally, the icp ranges from 1 to 20 mm hg.

note: mm hg = millimeters of mercury

note: normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.

what abnormal results mean

high intracranial pressure means that both nervous system and blood vessel tissues are under pressure. if not treated, this can lead to permanent damage. in some cases, it can be life threatening.

risks

bleeding
brain herniation or injury from the increased pressure
damage to the brain tissue
inability to find the ventricle and place catheter
infection
risks of general anesthesia

a ventriculostomy, also called an external ventricular drain (evd) or ventricular catheter, is a catheter placed into the ventricles, fluid-filled spaces within the brain, and drains cerebrospinal fluid (csf) externally. it is typically connected by tubing to a cerebrospinal fluid collection device which can be elevated or lowered at the bedside to vary the amount of csf that is drained.

a ventriculostomy allows both draining and sampling of the csf and also can be hooked up to a pressure transducer which gives a reading of intracranial pressure. additionally, in some conditions certain medications may also be given directly into the nervous system by injecting them through a ventriculostomy.

a ventriculostomy is typically placed at the bedside but sometimes is placed in the operating room. typically, a small drill hole is made in the skull to allow introduction of the catheter through the brain and into the ventricle.

http://www.nervous-system-diseases.com/ventriculostomy.html

http://www.pterrywave.com/nursing/care%20plans/nursing%20care%20plans%20toc.aspx

http://www.csufresno.edu/nursingstudents/fsnc/nursingcareplans.htm

http://dynamicnursingeducation.com/class.php?class_id=98&pid=10

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Nov 9, 2011

"risk for changing icp related to external ventricular device (evd)."

the evd, as a monitoring device, doesn't cause changes in icp. it measures changes in icp. remember, a measurement is not an intervention and doesn't do anything besides give you data. it changes nothing for the patient. if the evd includes a drainage component, that's supposed to change (or regulate) icp, it's a therapeutic tool.

"related to," as a term used in assessment and care planning should, in my opinion, be stricken from nursing education because it confuses so many people. hint: whenever you see "r/t" in a care plan, mentally substitute, "because he has..." and see if that still makes sense. if it doesn't, it's not causative, and therefore doesn't fit the criterion for "related to.":twocents:

if you want to look at icp as something that can be influenced by nursing actions, well, then, you're on to something. look for papers by pamela mitchell, the dean of icp monitoring in nursing. they're classics. if you think of icp as having many components, including intracerebral blood volume, what happens if, say, you sit the patient up? lie him down? make him cough? make him hyperventilate? why?

isabajan · Nov 9, 2011

Thank you all for your reply, especially Ashley, you have given me exactly what I needed :yeah: You pointed me in the right direction and I will be turning in my clinical paperwork shortly.