Posted: August 17th, 2017

Which of the following positions are employed to help reduce intracranial pressure (ICP)?

Which of the following positions are employed to help reduce intracranial pressure (ICP)?
a) Avoiding flexion of the neck with use of a cervical collar
Use of a cervical collar promotes venous drainage and prevents jugular vein distortion that will increase ICP.
b) Keeping the head flat with use of no pillow
Slight elevation of the head is maintained to aid in venous drainage unless otherwise prescribed.
c) Rotating the neck to the far right with neck support
Extreme rotation of the neck is avoided because compression or distortion of the jugular veins increases ICP.
d) Extreme hip flexion supported by pillows
Extreme hip flexion is avoided because this position causes an increase in intra-abdominal pressure and intrathoracic pressure, which can produce a rise in ICP.