Anesthesia Technician Practice Exam

Which condition can lead to increased intracranial pressure during surgical procedures?

1. Hypotension

2. Hyperventilation

3. Use of mannitol

4. Elevated head position

The correct answer is: Use of mannitol

Increased intracranial pressure (ICP) during surgical procedures can be influenced by various factors. The use of mannitol is particularly significant because it is a hyperosmolar agent commonly employed to help decrease ICP. Mannitol works by creating an osmotic gradient that pulls water out of the brain tissue, thus reducing edema and lowering the ICP. This pharmacological effect is crucial in neurosurgery and in treating conditions like traumatic brain injury, where managing ICP is vital to ensuring patient safety and optimal surgical outcomes. In contrast, hypotension typically leads to decreased cerebral perfusion pressure rather than an increase in ICP. Hyperventilation, while it can lead to respiratory alkalosis and subsequently vasoconstriction of cerebral blood vessels, is utilized in some contexts to help manage ICP. An elevated head position during surgery usually aids in venous drainage from the brain and assists in reducing ICP. Therefore, the use of mannitol stands out as the correct choice, as it directly acts to decrease ICP during surgical procedures rather than contributing to its increase.