How to calculate CPP (nursing): Let’s talk about how to calculate a cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) and then practice some CPP calculation problems!
What is cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP)? It’s the pressure required to move sufficient amounts of blood to the brain (cerebral blood flow), which maintains life and prevents brain ischemia.
We talked a lot about cerebral perfusion pressure when we reviewed increased intracranial pressure, so if you want an in depth discussion about it check out that article.
What’s a normal CPP? 60 to 100 mmHg
To calculate CPP you need to know that:
CPP=MAP – ICP
*cerebral perfusion pressure is EQUAL to the mean arterial pressure MINUS intracranial pressure
Video on How to Calculate CPP Nursing
So, to calculate it you need to know the patient’s BP and ICP:
Let’s give it a try!
BP: 108/72
ICP: 13
Right now we have: CPP= MAP – 13
First, we need to figure out the MAP (mean arterial pressure)…this is the pressure within a patient’s arteries during one cardiac cycle.
Formula for MAP:
SBP + 2(DBP) = MAP
3
*systolic blood pressure PLUS (diastolic blood pressure which is multiplied by 2) and then DIVIDED by 3.
72 x 2 = 144
144 + 108 = 252
252/3 = 84
MAP = 84
CPP= 84 -13
CPP= 71
It is normal….<60 mmHg: brain is not being perfused and as the MAP starts to equal the ICP the CPP will fall.
Cerebral Perfusion Pressure (CPP) Practice Problems Quiz
This quiz will test your knowledge on how to calculate CPP in nursing.(NOTE: When you hit submit, it will refresh this same page. Scroll down to see your results.)
Calculate CPP Practice Problems Nursing
1. A patient’s blood pressure is 152/96 and ICP is 20. What is the patient’s cerebral perfusion pressure?
A. 115 mmHg
B. 20 mmHg
C. 95 mmHg
D. 56 mmHg
The answer is C: 95 mmHg. The MAP is 115. When you calculate the equation: CPP= 115-20, you get 95 mmHg as the CPP.
2. A patient’s mean arterial pressure is 82 and ICP is 15. What is the patient’s cerebral perfusion pressure?
A. 67 mmHg
B. 100 mmHg
C. 52 mmHg
D. 30 mmHg
The answer is A: 67 mmHg. The MAP is 82. When you calculate the equation: CPP= 82-15, you get 67 mmHg as the CPP.
3. A patient’s blood pressure is 110/74 and ICP is 8. What is the patient’s cerebral perfusion pressure?
A. 94 mmHg
B. 56 mmHg
C. 98 mmHg
D. 78 mmHg
The answer is D: 78 mmHg. The MAP is 86. When you calculate the equation: CPP= 86-8, you get 78 mmHg as the CPP.
4. A patient’s blood pressure 92/56 and ICP 6. What is the patient’s cerebral perfusion pressure and how do you interpret this finding?
A. 82 mmHg, normal
B. 56 mmHg, low
C. 62 mmHg, normal
D. 108 mmHg, high
The answer is C: 62 mmHg, normal. The MAP is 68. When you calculate the equation: CPP=68-6, you get 62 mmHg as the CPP. Remember a normal CPP is 60-100 mmHg.
5. A patient’s blood pressure is 80/42 and ICP 22. What is the patient’s cerebral perfusion pressure and how do you interpret this finding?
A. 33 mmHg, low
B. 30 mmHg, normal
C. 48 mmHg, low
D. 64 mmHg, normal
The answer is A: 33 mmHg, low. The MAP is 55. When you calculate the equation: CPP=55-22, you get 33 mmHg as the CPP. Remember a normal CPP is 60-100 mmHg.
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