A patient has seizure activity that is continuous in nature; the seizure subsides and then immediately resumes and continues. The nurse identifies this emergent condition as

A. Elevating the head of the bed promotes venous return and helps increase the ICP: This is incorrect. Elevation of the head of the bed helps to decrease intracranial pressure (ICP) by promoting venous drainage rather than increasing it.

B. Elevation of the head of the bed aids in maintaining cerebral perfusion: Elevating the head of the bed helps to decrease ICP, which in turn aids in maintaining adequate cerebral perfusion pressure.

C. Elevation of the head of the bed will increase intracranial pressure (ICP): This is incorrect. Elevation of the head of the bed is intended to reduce ICP, not increase it.

D. The nurse should keep the head of the bed flat to ensure adequate arterial circulation: This is incorrect. Keeping the head of the bed flat can increase ICP, which is counterproductive in managing intracranial pressure.

A. Diminished serum albumin levels cause water to shift from blood to tissue: In cirrhosis, liver dysfunction leads to decreased production of albumin, a protein that helps maintain oncotic pressure. Low albumin levels cause fluid to shift from the vascular space into the tissues, resulting in ascites and peripheral edema.

B. Portal hypotension causes a fluid shift from the abdominal cavity into the portal veins: Portal hypertension, not hypotension, is a common feature of cirrhosis, but it leads to ascites by increasing pressure in the portal venous system, not by shifting fluid into the portal veins.

C. Hypoaldosteronism causes a fluid volume deficit: shifting water from blood into tissue: Cirrhosis often leads to hyperaldosteronism, not hypoaldosteronism, resulting in sodium and water retention, which contributes to edema.

D. Aberrations of the portal system cause a back-up of blood that leads to hydronephrosis: Hydronephrosis is related to obstruction of the urinary tract, not a complication of portal hypertension or cirrhosis.