The unconscious patient with elevated intracranial pressure secondary to an ischemic stroke has a jugular bulb catheter in place to monitor cerebral oxygenation (SJO₂). The patient’s oxygen saturation (read by peripheral pulse oximetry probe) is 98% on 30% FiO₂ administered via endotracheal tube. The SJO₂ is 85%. How does the nurse interpret these results?

The patient has experienced necrosis of brain tissue. A high SJO₂ (above 70%) indicates the patient’s brain is not extracting much oxygen – this is caused by necrosis of brain tissue. The patient is not receiving too much oxygen; the FiO₂ is quite low. A low SJO₂ (below 55%) would indicate the patient is experiencing hypoxia because the brain is extracting a significant amount of oxygen. A high SJO₂ does not indicate the patient’s condition is improving because it means the patient’s brain is not utilizing the oxygen that is present in the blood.

The unconscious patient with elevated intracranial pressure secon...

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Physiological Adaptation
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Category: Physiological Adaptation
Difficulty: 10

Topics: Cardiovascular Communication & Documentation Neurology

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