Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 84%
Simulated
A nurse is preparing to administer intravenous mannitol, an osmotic diuretic, to a client with increased intracranial pressure. Which of the following should the nurse identify as the purpose of the medication?
Correct answer
B
Rationale
Reduce edema of the brain is the purpose of the medication because mannitol works by creating an osmotic gradient between the blood and the├¿ÔÇ×┬│ tissue, drawing excess fluid out of the brain cells and into the blood vessels.