The nurse is caring for a patient admitted with a closed head injury.Which action by the nurse is appropriate when providing hygiene for this patient?

A) Avoid bathing the patient.
B) Use cool water for bathing.
C) Provide care in short intervals.
D) Rub briskly when towel drying.

The nurse should provide care in short intervals to avoid overstimulating the patient,thereby causing a rise in his intracranial pressure.It is not necessary to avoid bathing the patient.Using cool water to bathe the patient may cause shivering,which may elevate intracranial pressure and increase metabolic demands.Rubbing briskly when drying might also overstimulate,leading to an elevation in intracranial pressure.