Final answer:
To prevent increased intracranial pressure, nursing interventions include a slightly elevated head of bed, avoiding Valsalva maneuvers, managing fluid intake, and sometimes administering blood pressure medication. Rapid IV fluids, Valsalva, and caffeine are to be avoided.
Step-by-step explanation:
To prevent increased intracranial pressure (ICP), certain nursing interventions are recommended. These include maintaining a slightly elevated head of bed to facilitate venous outflow, avoiding activities that can increase ICP such as the Valsalva maneuver, and monitoring fluid intake and output to manage cerebral edema. Rapid administration of intravenous fluids, encouraging a Valsalva maneuver, and administering caffeine-containing beverages can potentially worsen ICP and should be avoided. Administering blood pressure medication may be necessary to maintain optimal cerebral perfusion pressure and manage ICP. Psychotherapy and physical therapy are not direct interventions for managing ICP but can be supportive in the overall treatment plan for neurological patients. Deep-brain stimulation is a surgical intervention sometimes used for other neurological conditions but is not a standard nursing intervention for preventing increased ICP.