A nurse is caring for a patient with increased intracranial pressure (ICP). The patient's most recent ICP reading is 22 mmHg. Which of the following actions should the nurse take immediately?

A. Increase the patient's head of bed to 30 degrees: Elevating the head of the bed is a standard measure to promote venous drainage and help prevent further increases in ICP. However, this intervention is preventive and supportive and may not provide immediate reduction in ICP once it has acutely risen to 22 mmHg. B. Administer an osmotic diuretic as ordered: Osmotic diuretics, such as mannitol, draw fluid from brain tissue into the intravascular space, rapidly reducing cerebral edema and lowering ICP. Immediate administration is critical when ICP exceeds normal limits (typically >20 mmHg) to prevent secondary brain injury from decreased cerebral perfusion and herniation. C. Administer high-dose corticosteroids to reduce brain swelling: Corticosteroids are not routinely indicated for ICP management in acute traumatic brain injury; they are primarily used in vasogenic edema associated with brain tumors or specific inflammatory conditions. They do not act rapidly enough to address acute elevations in ICP. D. Administer pain medications to relieve discomfort: While pain control is important to prevent sympathetic stimulation that can elevate ICP, analgesics alone do not rapidly lower ICP. Immediate reduction of dangerously high ICP requires interventions that directly decrease cerebral edema or volume, such as osmotic diuretics.