A patient experiencing cerebral edema post-stroke is under your care. Which action is most important to prevent increased intracranial pressure?

Rationale: A. While compression stockings help prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT), they do not directly affect intracranial pressure (ICP). Preventing clots is important for overall patient care but is secondary in priority when managing cerebral edema. B. Deep breathing exercises can increase thoracic pressure, which may impair venous return from the brain and potentially worsen ICP. Controlled breathing techniques are used carefully, but routine encouragement of deep breaths is not a primary intervention for cerebral edema. C. Rapid blood pressure lowering is not recommended without specific orders, as abrupt reductions in cerebral perfusion can worsen ischemia. Antihypertensives may be used cautiously, but they are not the first-line intervention to prevent ICP elevation. D. Elevating the head of the bed promotes venous drainage from the brain, which helps reduce cerebral edema and lower ICP. Maintaining proper head and neck alignment and avoiding extreme hip flexion also support this goal. This is a key non-pharmacologic intervention in patients at risk for increased ICP after stroke.