A 6-year-old child is admitted to the hospital with suspected bacterial meningitis. What is the nursing priority in the care of this child? Select all that apply.
Ensure the child is placed on droplet precautions.
Encouraging the child to drink plenty of fluids.
Administering intravenous antibiotics as prescribed.
Providing comfort measures such as dimming the lights.
Prepare the child for a CT scan of the head.
Correct Answer : A,C,D
A. Ensure the child is placed on droplet precautions is the priority because bacterial meningitis is highly contagious. Droplet precautions help prevent the spread of the infection to others in the hospital.
B. Encouraging the child to drink plenty of fluids is not the priority in the acute phase of meningitis, as increased fluid intake may not be appropriate, especially if there is elevated intracranial pressure or vomiting. Fluid management should be carefully monitored by the healthcare team.
C. Administering intravenous antibiotics is crucial because bacterial meningitis requires prompt treatment with antibiotics to prevent complications and reduce mortality.
D. Providing comfort measures such as dimming the lights is important because the child may be sensitive to light, noise, and stimuli. A calm, quiet environment can help reduce discomfort and manage symptoms like headache and photophobia.
E. Preparing the child for a CT scan of the head might be indicated if there are signs of increased intracranial pressure, but it is not the immediate priority. Initial treatment with antibiotics and managing the environment are higher priorities.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Placing the client on their side is the correct action to prevent aspiration and help keep the airway open during a seizure. It also helps drain secretions and can reduce the risk of choking.
B. Holding the client's arms and legs is not recommended during a seizure because this can lead to injury to the client and the nurse. Seizure activity should be allowed to run its course in a safe environment.
C. Placing the client back in bed during a seizure could be dangerous, as it is better to keep the client safe on the floor to prevent falling or injury. The priority is ensuring the client’s safety during the seizure rather than moving them back into bed.
D. Inserting a tongue blade in the client's mouth is an outdated practice and can lead to injury or even cause the client to bite down on the tongue blade. There is no need to insert anything into the mouth during a seizure.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. An elevated red blood cell count is not a typical finding in bacterial meningitis. An increase in red blood cells in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is more indicative of a traumatic lumbar puncture or hemorrhage.
B. A decreased white cell count would not be expected in bacterial meningitis. Bacterial infections typically lead to an increase in white blood cell count as part of the immune response to fight the infection.
C. An elevated white blood cell count is a hallmark of bacterial meningitis. This finding indicates an immune response in the CSF to the presence of bacteria. The cells are primarily neutrophils in bacterial infections.
D. A normal glucose level is not expected in bacterial meningitis. Glucose is typically decreased due to the consumption of glucose by bacteria and white blood cells in the CSF.
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