EVD care

Structured condition card with NCLEX priority cues and nursing action focus.

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Neurohigh priorityneeds review

EVD care

Also testable as: External ventricular drain

Practice

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.

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.

Drive Pack cross references

EVD careCondition