Meningitis

Question 1

Describe meningitis?

Answer 1

Inflammation of lining around brain and spinal cord

Question 2

What is meningitis caused by?

Answer 2

Inflammation due to bacteria or viruses

Question 3

Symptoms of meningitis?

Answer 3

• HA
• fever
• stiff/painful neck
• Kernigs sign
• brudzinskis sign
• photophobia

Question 4

What is Kernigs sign?

Answer 4

knee and hip flexed to 90 degrees, extension of knee is painful or limited

Question 5

What is brudzinski’s sign?

Answer 5

when in supine position, lower extremeties flex when neck is flexed

Question 6

How is meningitis diagnosed?

Answer 6

CT scan, MRI, LP (although lp may cause csf leakage at site)

Question 7

Treatment of meningitis?

Answer 7

Antibiotics and symptom management e.g. IV fluids if dehydrated

Question 8

Example of antibiotic used to treat meningitis?

Answer 8

Vancomycin

Question 9

Nursing management for meningitis?

Answer 9

• iso precautions
• monitor ICP
• seizure precautions
• HOB 30 deg
• prevent stimulation