EVD care
Structured condition card with NCLEX priority cues and nursing action focus.
Neurohigh priorityneeds review
EVD care
Also testable as: External ventricular drain
Etiology / Pathophysiology
- An EVD drains CSF and monitors pressure when ICP or hydrocephalus is a concern.
- Drain height and leveling determine CSF drainage and pressure accuracy.
Medications
No specific medication class was seeded for this card.
Signs / symptoms
- Do not independently lower the drain to increase output.
- Leveling matters before readings.
Nursing actions
- Keep system leveled and zeroed per facility policy.
- Clamp only for ordered activities or transport per protocol.
- Report sudden drainage change, bright blood, neuro decline, or signs of infection.
Complications
- Infection
- Overdrainage
- Underdrainage
- Bleeding
- Increased ICP
NCLEX cues
- Do not independently lower the drain to increase output.
- Leveling matters before readings.
Memory hooks
- EVD is plumbing: level first, sterility always.
Labs / Diagnostics
- Trend assessment findings and ordered diagnostics; verify exact values with school source material.
Review notes
- Session-derived study seed. Verify against school materials, ATI/NCLEX review sources, current orders, and facility policy before relying on details.
Cross references
Related cards are generated from the shared study map, not hand-built per page.
Source entitycondition card
EVD care
Condition card for EVD care: recognize the testable cue, prevent the complication, and choose the safest first nursing action.
Procedurecondition
External ventricular drain care
Care of a drain that removes CSF and may monitor intracranial pressure.
Termcondition cue
EVD
Device that drains CSF and monitors pressure in selected neuro clients.