A Patient Who Just Suffered Severe Closed-Head Injury and Has

Multiple Choice

A patient who just suffered severe closed-head injury and has a high intracranial pressure (ICP) is about to be placed on ventilatory support. Which of the following strategies could help to lower the ICP?

A) Maintain a PaCO₂ from 25 to 30 mm Hg (deliberate hyperventilation) .
B) Allow as much spontaneous breathing as possible (SIMV) .
C) Maintain a high mean pressure using PEEP levels of 10 to 15 cm H₂O.
D) Maintain a PaCO₂ of 50 to 60 mm Hg (deliberate hypoventilation) .