Which symptoms should indicate a nurse that a client with a leaking cerebral aneurysm is experiencing increased intracranial pressure?

When assessing a client with a leaking cerebral aneurysm for signs of increased intracranial pressure (ICP), specific neurological symptoms are key indicators. The presence of slurred speech, headache, and disorientation points to alterations in the patient's neurological status. These symptoms can arise from increased pressure within the skull, which may disrupt normal brain function.

Slurred speech indicates a potential impairment in motor control and the function of the language centers in the brain, which can be affected by increased ICP. Headache is a common symptom experienced by individuals with elevated intracranial pressure due to irritation of the meninges or increased tension in the tissues of the brain. Disorientation suggests impaired cognitive functions, including altered levels of consciousness and inability to recognize the environment or oneself, which further indicates significant changes in neurological function associated with raised pressure in the cranial cavity.

These combined symptoms are particularly concerning in the context of a leaking cerebral aneurysm, as they reflect the potential for further neurological compromise. Monitoring for these signs is crucial for timely intervention in order to prevent complications such as brain herniation, which can result from prolonged increased ICP.