Final answer:
The initial priority action for a nurse coming to her morning shift and assigned a patient with a skull fracture and increased ICP would be to elevate the patient's head of bed (HOB) to a high Fowler position. This helps reduce cerebral venous outflow and intracranial pressure (ICP) and promotes optimal cerebral perfusion.
Step-by-step explanation:
The initial priority action for a nurse coming to her morning shift and assigned a patient with a skull fracture and increased ICP would be to elevate the patient's head of bed (HOB) to a high Fowler position. This position helps to reduce cerebral venous outflow and intracranial pressure (ICP), which is crucial in managing patients with skull fractures and increased ICP. It improves cerebral perfusion and can help prevent further neurological damage.
Performing a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) test is also important to assess the patient's level of consciousness and neurological status. However, elevating the HOB to a high Fowler position should be the initial priority action to address the increased ICP and promote optimal cerebral perfusion.
Monitoring the patient's blood pressure (BP) is also necessary to ensure adequate cerebral perfusion pressure. However, it is not the first priority action in this situation. Obtaining the patient's arterial blood gases (ABGs) may provide important information for evaluating the patient's acid-base balance and oxygenation but is not the initial priority action.