Question

The nurse is educating a patient scheduled for a ventriculostomy. What statement by the patient demonstrates an understanding of the procedure?

-"I will have an internal transducer in my head."

-"I won't be able to have drugs instilled through this procedure."

-"It will directly measure the pressure within the ventricles of my brain."

-"The primary health care provider won't be able to get samples of my cerebrospinal fluid."

Answer 1

The patient demonstrates understanding of a ventriculostomy when stating it directly measures the pressure within their brain's ventricles. Ventriculostomies are vital in managing hydrocephalus by monitoring and adjusting cerebrospinal fluid pressure to prevent complications.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement by the patient that demonstrates an understanding of the ventriculostomy procedure is -"It will directly measure the pressure within the ventricles of my brain." A ventriculostomy is a medical procedure where a catheter is inserted into the cerebral ventricles to measure intracranial pressure (ICP) directly and to drain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for therapeutic purposes. This procedure is particularly important in conditions like hydrocephalus, where abnormal accumulation of CSF can lead to increased ICP, potentially causing brain damage.

Hydrocephalus is a condition where there is an abnormal buildup of CSF in the ventricles of the brain. Treating hydrocephalus often involves the implantation of a shunt, which drains excess CSF to another part of the body such as the abdominal cavity. Monitoring CSF pressure is crucial to manage the correct drainage rate and prevent complications such as overdraining or underdraining, which could result in further neurological problems.