hyperventilating a patient with ICP

[jessica84]

I know that hyperventilating a pt with ICP promotes cerebral vasoconstriction (by decreasing PaCO2) and decreasing ICP.

BUT... does it also prevent tissue hypoxia to the brain?

I am a nursing student, and was asked which of the following does hyperventilating a pt with ICP do:

1. promote cerebral vasoconstriction
2. prevent cerebral hypoxia to the brain

(choices 3 and 4 were wrong) My guess is that I would say #1, but I also have to explain why #2 is wrong.

Any help? I have been reading all my books and I can't find anywhere to explain why 2 would be wrong.

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[jessica84]

never mind---I found the answer. I guess hyperventilation can actually induce ischemia to the brain (so it wouldn't prevent hypoxia to the brain as the one choice said)