A nurse is collecting data from a client who is 6 days post craniotomy for removal of an intracerebral aneurysm. The nurse should monitor the client for which of the following manifestations of increased intracranial pressure?

Halo-vest traction immobilizes a patient’s head and neck after traumatic injury to the cervical vertebrae as well as helping to prevent further injury to the spinal cord². Elevating the head of the bed can help improve the patient's comfort and reduce the risk of complications such as aspiration.

a. Placing the client in a supine position is not necessarily required for a patient in halo traction. The position of the patient should be determined by their individual needs and comfort.

c. Applying a pelvic girdle is not necessary for a patient in halo traction. Halo-vest traction consists of a metal ring that fits over the patient’s head and metal bars that connect the ring to a plastic vest that distributes the weight of the entire apparatus around the chest².

d. Elevating the foot of the bed is not necessary for a patient in halo traction. The position of the bed

should be determined by the patient's individual needs and comfort.

A.Obtaining a throat culture specimen might be necessary if a throat infection is suspected, but it is not the immediate priority without first assessing the presence of fever or other systemic signs.
B. Performing a complete blood count could be useful in diagnosing underlying conditions or infections but is not the initial action; the temperature check provides immediate information about potential systemic infection.

C.Check the client's temperature.Headache and stiff neck are symptoms that could be associated with various conditions, including infections such as meningitis. A fever often accompanies infections, and checking the client's temperature helps in identifying if there is a fever, which could be indicative of an infection requiring further evaluation and treatment.

D. Administering an oral analgesic could provide symptom relief but does not address the underlying cause of the symptoms. It is essential first to assess the client’s condition fully before initiating symptomatic treatment.