A patient with traumatic brain injury has an intracranial pressure of 28 mmHg. Which osmolar therapy is effective for rapid reduction of elevated intracranial pressure?

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: C. Intravenous mannitol 20 percent solution or 3 percent hypertonic saline

Answer: Intravenous mannitol 20 percent solution or 3 percent hypertonic saline.
Why not the others: Mannitol and 3 percent hypertonic saline create an osmotic gradient across the intact blood-brain barrier to draw fluid out of cerebral parenchyma; D5W is hypotonic and worsens cerebral edema; Insulin does not lower ICP; Furosemide alone is less effective than osmotic agents and can cause systemic hypovolemia.

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