A 45-year-old male patient present to the emergency department with a severe head injury following a car accident. His Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score is 8, and he shows signs of increased intracranial pressure (ICP). Which of the following interventions should be prioritized to manage his ICP?
Administering mannitol intravenously
Encouraging the patient to hyperventilate
Administering a high-dose corticosteroid
Performing a lumbar puncture immediately
The Correct Answer is A
A. Administering mannitol intravenously: Mannitol is an osmotic diuretic that helps reduce ICP by drawing fluid out of brain tissue and decreasing cerebral edema, making it a priority intervention.
B. Encouraging the patient to hyperventilate: Controlled hyperventilation may reduce ICP temporarily by lowering CO₂ levels and causing cerebral vasoconstriction. However, it should only be done cautiously under close monitoring, and other ICP management techniques like mannitol administration take priority.
C. Administering a high-dose corticosteroid: Corticosteroids are generally ineffective for reducing ICP in traumatic brain injury and are typically not recommended in this scenario.
D. Performing a lumbar puncture immediately: Lumbar puncture is contraindicated in cases of increased ICP because it may lead to brain herniation due to the sudden release of pressure.
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Correct Answer is ["A","C","E"]
Explanation
A. A clean catch urinalysis and urine culture: A urinalysis and culture are essential to identify the presence of infection, type of bacteria, and appropriate antibiotic sensitivity.
B. Foley catheter placement: Foley catheters are not routinely indicated for suspected urinary tract infections (UTIs) unless there is an issue with urinary retention or other specific medical indication.
C. Broad-spectrum antibiotic: Initiating a broad-spectrum antibiotic may be appropriate while waiting for culture results to address infection.
D. 0.9% sodium chloride infusion at 100 ml/hr: IV fluids are not typically necessary for a UTI unless the patient is dehydrated or unable to take oral fluids.
E. WBC count: A WBC count can help assess the systemic inflammatory response and gauge the severity of the infection.
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