Ineffective cerebral perfusion related to increased intracranial pressure secondary to subarachnoid haemorrhage : an examination of nursing interventions

Considered a condition of the elderly population, stroke will soon be the leading cause of death globally. In Singapore it is the fourth leading cause of death after cancer and heart disease. Subarachnoid haemorrhage, when compared with an embolic stroke, has a more devastating outcome because of the deleterious complications associated with it. Vasospam, re-bleeding and global cerebral ischemia are three of the most prominent complications. Therefore, nursing care and interventions developed to reduce the incidence of complications and optimise neurological function are critical in the acute phase of this condition. Using a case study approach this article will discuss and offer a rationale to a number of key nursing interventions based around a nursing care plan designed to reduce the incidence of complications.