This is an image of Justin's skull, seen from the left side.  Justin's mom and dad spent the weekend watching his vital signs, especially his ICP.  Normal ICP is 5-15, and the number indicates the pressure inside the skull.  There are many things that can cause the pressures to go up to unhealthy levels, including swelling, pain, high carbon dioxide levels in the blood, shivering, and seizures.  There are also things they can do to help reduce ICP such as sedatives, pain medicine, reducing CO2 with the ventilator, positioning, and reducing stimulation.  It is important for Justin's ICP to stay below 20, so the nurses worked hard to balance his pain medicine and sedation.  We learned Justin does not like to be turned to the left side (because it hurts!)  and his ICP would go up.  Also, the nurses and the family tried to reduce stimulation by keeping his room quiet and visiting outside.   He also got a feeding tube placed, and a groovy pair of Converse sneakers to help prevent foot drop.