A 55-year-old man with a severe traumatic brain injury has an EVD (external ventricular drain) in situ. His ICP is 22 mmHg and CPP is 65 mmHg. The nur...

Question

A 55-year-old man with a severe traumatic brain injury has an EVD (external ventricular drain) in situ. His ICP is 22 mmHg and CPP is 65 mmHg. The nurse drains 5 mL of CSF and the ICP falls to 15 mmHg. What does this response to CSF drainage indicate about the intracranial compliance?

Accepted Answer

Reduced intracranial compliance - the pressure-volume curve is steep, and small volume changes produce large pressure changes

Answer

Normal intracranial compliance - the brain can compensate for volume changes

Answer

The EVD is malfunctioning and needs replacement

Answer

The patient has communicating hydrocephalus

Answer

The intracranial pressure monitoring is inaccurate

uk-fficm MCQ (SBA): Traumatic Brain Injury

A 55-year-old man with a severe traumatic brain injury has an EVD (external ventricular drain) in situ. His ICP is 22 mmHg and CPP is 65 mmHg. The nurse drains 5 mL of CSF and the ICP falls to 15 mmHg. What does this response to CSF drainage indicate about the intracranial compliance?