A 73-year-old female is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of “cerebella pilocytic astrocytoma.” She has a recurrent left cerebellar tumor and undergoes a suboccipital craniotomy. Following her surgery she is admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Following the patient’s surgery, the nurse monitors the patient’s Intracranial Pressure (ICP). The patient’s ICP is 20 mmHg. The patient’s PaCO2 is 48 mmHg. The Cerebral Perfusion Pressure (CPP) is 110 mmHg.
What signs and symptoms should the nurse expect upon physical assessment?
What nursing diagnoses will be the highest priority?
What nursing interventions will the nurse employ immediately?