A client with multiple injuries from a motorcycle accident is in the intensive care unit postoperatively For each statement made by the nurse, click to specify if the statement should be included or not included.

This question focuses on appropriate client and family education regarding an external ventricular drain (EVD), which is used in patients with increased intracranial pressure (ICP). EVDs are placed to monitor intracranial pressure and drain excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to reduce pressure within the brain. Accurate teaching is essential to avoid misinformation, especially distinguishing between spinal cord injury effects, pain management routes, and the actual purpose of CSF diversion and ICP monitoring. Rationale: • “This is a temporary device that will be removed once the condition of the brain is improved.”: An external ventricular drain is a short-term, invasive device used in acute neurological conditions such as increased intracranial pressure. It is not permanent and is removed once the underlying condition stabilizes or resolves. Providing this information helps reduce family anxiety and clarifies the purpose and duration of therapy. • “We can use this device to continuously monitor the intracranial pressure for improvement or worsening.”: One of the primary functions of an EVD system is real-time monitoring of intracranial pressure. This allows the healthcare team to detect worsening cerebral edema or improvement in brain status. Continuous monitoring helps guide timely interventions to prevent brain herniation or further neurological deterioration. • “The drain will help remove excess cerebrospinal fluid that is causing the increased intracranial pressure.”: The EVD functions by draining excess cerebrospinal fluid from the ventricles to reduce intracranial pressure. This helps prevent brain compression and improves cerebral perfusion. It is a key therapeutic mechanism of the device, not just a monitoring tool. • “A spinal cord injury results in much inflammation. This drain will help prevent excess inflammation in the brain.”: This statement is incorrect because an external ventricular drain does not treat spinal cord inflammation or prevent brain inflammation. Its function is specifically related to cerebrospinal fluid drainage and intracranial pressure management. Linking spinal cord injury inflammation to brain drainage is physiologically inaccurate. • “The injuries your dad sustained are very painful. We can administer pain medication directly to the spinal cord this way.”: This statement is incorrect because an EVD is not used for pain medication administration. Medications are not delivered directly into the spinal cord through this device. Its purpose is strictly CSF drainage and ICP monitoring. This misinformation could lead to misunderstanding and inappropriate expectations about pain management.