Word parts
What it means
A type of bleeding stroke. Blood collects in the subarachnoid space, which holds the fluid that cushions the brain. Most cases not caused by injury come from a burst brain aneurysm, a weak, ballooning spot on an artery. Head injury is another common cause. The blood irritates the brain and raises the pressure inside the skull.
For the nurse
Check neuro status often (level of consciousness, pupils, movement) and report any change at once. Keep the room quiet and dim, keep the head of the bed raised as ordered, control blood pressure as ordered and keep the client from straining.
At a glance
| Abbreviations | SAH |
|---|---|
| Spanish | hemorragia subaracnoidea |
| Also written | SAH, subarachnoid hemorrhages |
Related terms
hemorrhage
A large loss of blood from a blood vessel, inside the body or out of it.
intracranial pressure
The pressure inside the skull, made by the brain, the blood and the fluid around the brain.
lumbar puncture
A procedure in which a needle is put between two bones in the lower back to take out spinal fluid or give medicine; a spinal tap.
Glasgow Coma Scale
A scoring tool that rates a person's level of consciousness by their eye opening, verbal response and movement, from 3 to 15.