Question

Some degree of cerebral edema occurs after brain surgery; it tends to peak ______ hours after surgery, producing decreased responsiveness on the second postoperative day.

A) 12-24 hours
B) 24-36 hours
C) 48-72 hours
D) 72-96 hours

Answer 1

Cerebral edema typically peaks 24-36 hours after brain surgery, potentially decreasing responsiveness on the second day post-operation. Proper management of cerebral swelling is critical to prevent permanent brain damage or severity of conditions like hydrocephalus.

Step-by-step explanation:

The degree of cerebral edema that can occur after brain surgery is significant because it may lead to a decrease in responsiveness, which typically peaks at a certain time post-surgery. The correct answer to when this cerebral edema tends to peak is B) 24-36 hours after surgery, affecting the patient's responsiveness on the second postoperative day. It's important to monitor and manage cerebral edema effectively to prevent potential complications, such as permanent damage to brain tissue, which can result from a loss of blood flow, characterized as a stroke or cerebrovascular accident (CVA).

Other conditions related to the brain, such as a transient ischemic attack (TIA), also highlight the critical nature of blood flow and its restoration to the brain. Furthermore, conditions like hydrocephalus emphasize the importance of managing cerebral fluid dynamics to prevent adverse outcomes like cognitive issues or seizures which can escalate to severe morbidity or even mortality if left unaddressed.