Question

A patient with elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) is at risk for lower cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) during suctioning. The nurse should maintain CPP above how many mm Hg to preserve cerebral perfusion?

-20

-40

-60

-80

Answer 1

To preserve cerebral perfusion, the nurse should maintain the Cerebral Perfusion Pressure above 60 mm Hg, especially in patients with elevated intracranial pressure where procedures like suctioning can affect cerebral blood flow.

Step-by-step explanation:

Maintaining Cerebral Perfusion Pressure (CPP)

The nurse should aim to maintain the Cerebral Perfusion Pressure (CPP) above 60 mm Hg to preserve cerebral perfusion. Cerebral Perfusion Pressure is critical because it influences the blood flow to the brain. CPP is determined by the difference between mean arterial pressure (MAP) and intracranial pressure (ICP).

A CPP below 60 mm Hg can lead to ischemia and hypoxia, conditions characterized by insufficient blood flow and oxygenation of tissues, which could be detrimental to patients with raised ICP. This requirement for maintaining minimum CPP becomes crucial during procedures like suctioning, where fluctuations in intracranial pressure could further impact cerebral blood flow and oxygenation.