Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner (AOCNP) Certification Practice Test

What interim action can help control increased ICP?

1. Administering a diuretic

2. Sampling cerebrospinal fluid

3. Placing the patient in a supine position

4. Monitoring for fever and infection

The correct answer is: Administering a diuretic

Administering a diuretic is a well-recognized interim action for controlling increased intracranial pressure (ICP). Diuretics, particularly osmotic diuretics like mannitol, work by promoting the excretion of water and electrolytes, which helps to reduce the volume of fluid within the cranial cavity. By decreasing cellular edema and potentially increasing the osmotic gradient, these agents can effectively draw fluid out of the brain tissue and into the bloodstream, where it can be excreted by the kidneys. This action not only alleviates the pressure within the cranial space but can also enhance cerebral blood flow and improve oxygen delivery to the affected tissues. In contrast, sampling cerebrospinal fluid, while it may provide diagnostic information, poses a risk of further increasing ICP during the procedure and is not a primary control measure for immediate management of elevated ICP. Placing the patient in a supine position could hinder venous drainage from the head and may not address the underlying cause of increased pressure. Monitoring for fever and infection is important for overall patient management but does not actively reduce ICP and thus serves a different purpose in the care of patients with elevated intracranial pressure.