NCLEX Intracranial Pressure (ICP) Practice Exam

Preventing infection is the priority when caring for an intraventricular catheter used to monitor ICP. This device provides a direct route into the brain, so infection—ventriculitis or meningitis—poses the greatest risk and can have serious consequences. The best nursing intervention is strict aseptic technique in every interaction with the system. This means thorough hand hygiene, sterile gloves and protective gear as needed, and maintaining a closed, sterile drainage system. Dressings should be changed with sterile technique, kept clean, dry, and intact, and replaced promptly if damp or soiled. Minimize system access and avoid unnecessary disconnections; use sterile connectors and procedures whenever CSF is accessed. By maintaining meticulous asepsis, you reduce infection risk and protect the patient during ICP monitoring. Monitoring ICP waveforms or sampling CSF remains important for management, but they do not prevent the most dangerous complication as effectively as keeping the system sterile and closed.