Which device is used to monitor intracranial pressure in ICU patients?

Which device is used to monitor intracranial pressure in ICU patients?

• A. Intraventricular catheter
• B. Arterial line
• C. Pulmonary artery catheter
• D. Peripheral IV line

Answer: (A)

An intraventricular catheter directly monitors intracranial pressure by placing the catheter into the lateral ventricle and connecting it to a pressure transducer, giving real-time ICP readings. Because it sits in the ventricular system, it also provides a route to drain CSF to lower elevated ICP, which is often crucial in ICU care for brain injury or hydrocephalus. The other devices serve different purposes: an arterial line measures arterial blood pressure, a pulmonary artery catheter assesses cardiac and pulmonary pressures and flows, and a peripheral IV line is for IV access only, not ICP monitoring.

An intraventricular catheter directly monitors intracranial pressure by placing the catheter into the lateral ventricle and connecting it to a pressure transducer, giving real-time ICP readings. Because it sits in the ventricular system, it also provides a route to drain CSF to lower elevated ICP, which is often crucial in ICU care for brain injury or hydrocephalus. The other devices serve different purposes: an arterial line measures arterial blood pressure, a pulmonary artery catheter assesses cardiac and pulmonary pressures and flows, and a peripheral IV line is for IV access only, not ICP monitoring.