NCLEX Review & Nursing School

When we talk about ICP or an Increased Intracranial Pressure, it basically means an increase of pressure within the brain and the cranium.  An Increased intracranial pressure can results from any alteration that increases tissue or fluid volume within the skull.  The skull is rigid with no flexibility, therefore their is no room for any additional fluid or blood or a space occupying lesion.  This in turn, can cause a high degree and an imbalance amount of pressure pushing into the brain, causing what is known in the NCLEX as ICP or Intracranial Pressure.

The causes of increased ICP or Increased Inracranial Pressure varies.  Some of these causes includes an accumulation of cerebral spinal fluid in the ventricles.  Also Brain tumors, Central Nervous System Infections, Cerebral Edema and Intracranial Bleeding are factors that can cause ICP or Increased Intracranial Pressure.  For the NCLEX, take not that the client with increased ICP exhibits  specific  signs and symptoms such as blurred vision, changes in cognition, changes in the Level Of Consciousness, there can also be Cheyne Stoke respirations, decerebrate posturing, Diplopia, Headache, Nausea and vomiting (usually a projectile vomiting) and Seizures.

This picture shows brain herniation due to increased intracranial pressure.

Treatment for pts with Increased Intracranial Pressure:
The treatment of client with ICP includes preventing seizures and frequent neurological assessment.  A person with an ICP or Increased inctracranial pressure is at risked for seizures.  We can prevent seizures by administering anticonvulsants to the client.  It is also important to treat nausea and vomiting for a client with increased intracranial pressure, since vomiting can cause more pressure within the cranium.

Note: These Nursing Notes for the NCLEX on Increased Intracranial Pressure, is intended to help both nursing students and nursing graduated, graduate Nursing School and Pass the NCLEX.