ATI-PEDIATRICS NCLEX REVIEW POINTERS: LATEST-2021, COMPLETE GUIDEPEDIATRICS NCLEX REVIEW POINTERS
Signs of increased intracranial pressure
• An elevated or bulging anterior fontanel indicates an increase in cerebrospin
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ATI-PEDIATRICS NCLEX REVIEW POINTERS: LATEST-2021, COMPLETE GUIDEPEDIATRICS NCLEX REVIEW POINTERS
Signs of increased intracranial pressure
• An elevated or bulging anterior fontanel indicates an increase in cerebrospinal fluid collection in the cerebral ventricle. Fluid accumulation in the cranial cavity will exert pressure on the soft brain tissue. This will cause the anterior fontanel to expand. A method of assessing fluid collection in the cranial cavity is to palpate this anterior fontanel. A full or bulging fontanel will indicate increasing amounts of fluid accumulation.
• Changes in the level of consciousness and a widened pulse pressure
• Late signs of increased ICP include tachycardia, leading to bradycardia, apnea, systolic hypertension, widening pulse pressure, and posturing.
• An altered level of consciousness is an early sign of increased ICP.
• If the ventriculoperitoneal shunt is malfunctioning, the fluid from the ventricle part of the brain will not be diverted to the peritoneal cavity. The cerebrospinal fluid will build up in the cranial area. The result is increased intracranial pressure, which then causes a high-pitched cry in the infant.
• The infant should not be positioned on the side of the shunt because this will cause pressure on the shunt and skin breakdown. This type of shunt affects the gastrointestinal system, not the genitourinary system, and an increased urinary output is not expected.
• High-pitched cry in an infant indicates a concern or problem.
• Intracranial pressure and encephalopathy are major symptoms of Reye’s syndrome. Reye’s syndrome is related to a history of viral infections, and hypoglycemia is a symptom of this disease.
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