Intracranial pressure monitoring: technical imperatives

Intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring provides extremely important information that is helpful in detecting intracranial hypertension and guiding therapeutic interventions that attempt to control this pathologic condition. This article reviews the purpose and rationale for monitoring ICP. Commonly used ICP monitoring systems are described, including their advantages, limitations, and nursing implications. This article also explains how to interpret ICP, ICP waveforms, and cerebral perfusion pressure. In addition, it addresses the application of data retrieved from ICP monitoring to clinical nursing practice and implications for nursing research.