title: Understanding external ventricular drainage.
abstract: An understanding of the ventricular system and cerebrospinal fluid production is essential to providing appropriate care to the patient undergoing external ventricular drainage. A brief operative procedure introducing an external ventricular drain is a valuable treatment for increased intracranial pressure; however, its value must not obscure the associated risk of infection. Critical nursing care associated with successful patient outcomes includes both comprehensive neurological assessments and appropriate external ventricular drainage system maintenance.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cummings
mesh_terms: D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000451:nursing / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002552:Cerebral Ventricles / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D002557:Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing* / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007427:Intracranial Pressure; D008297:Male