A 65-year-old man on ICU has an external ventricular drain (EVD) for hydrocephalus following subarachnoid haemorrhage. The EVD is set at 15 cmH2O abov...

Question

A 65-year-old man on ICU has an external ventricular drain (EVD) for hydrocephalus following subarachnoid haemorrhage. The EVD is set at 15 cmH2O above the external auditory meatus. The nurse notes that CSF is not draining despite the system being patent. ICP reads 22 mmHg (approximately 30 cmH2O). What adjustment should be made?

Accepted Answer

Lower the EVD drainage level to 10 cmH2O

Answer

Raise the EVD to 20 cmH2O

Answer

Clamp the EVD permanently

Answer

Remove the EVD and replace it

Answer

Administer IV mannitol and ignore the EVD

uk-fficm MCQ (SBA): EVD Management