A client presents to the health care clinic with a 3-day history of fever, chills, neck pain and stiffness, and headache. The nurse observes an elevated temperature of 102.5°F and pain with rotation of the head side to the side and decreased ability to flex the head forward. The nurse recognizes these findings as most likely the onset of what infectious process?

Bursitis

Meningitis

Spondylitis

Arthritis

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

A.   Bursitis is the inflammation of the bursa, a small fluid-filled sac that reduces friction between bones and soft tissues. It typically causes localized pain and tenderness in the area of the bursa, often in the shoulders, elbows, or hips.

B.   Meningitis is an infection or inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord (the meninges). It often presents with symptoms such as fever, headache, neck stiffness, and photophobia. The neck stiffness, particularly difficulty flexing the head forward (nuchal rigidity), is a classic sign.
C.   Spondylitis refers to inflammation of the spine. It can present with chronic back pain and stiffness but is typically associated with long-term symptoms rather than acute systemic symptoms like fever and chills. Conditions such as ankylosing spondylitis can cause chronic back pain and stiffness but are less likely to present with acute fever and headache.
D.   Arthritis is inflammation of the joints and can cause pain, swelling, and stiffness in the affected joints. While arthritis can affect the neck (cervical spine arthritis), it typically does not present with systemic symptoms such as fever and chills unless there is an associated infection or inflammatory process.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. The Babinski reflex is a test used to assess the integrity of the corticospinal tract and is particularly useful in evaluating neurological function in infants and adults with neurological conditions. However, it is not specifically related to testing for meningeal irritation.
B. Positioning the client prone (lying on their stomach) is not typically used when testing for meningeal irritation. The tests for meningeal irritation, such as the Brudzinski sign and Kernig sign, are performed with the client in a supine (lying on their back) position to accurately assess reactions to neck flexion and leg movements.
C. Before performing tests for meningeal irritation, such as neck flexion, it is important to ensure that the client does not have an injury to the cervical spine. If there is a possibility of cervical spine injury, performing neck flexion could exacerbate the injury. Ensuring that there is no cervical spine injury helps to avoid causing harm and ensures a safe examination.
D. While fever and chills can be associated with infections that may cause meningeal irritation (such as meningitis), checking for these symptoms is not the first step in assessing meningeal irritation itself.

A. Decorticate Rigidity B. Flaccid C. Decerebrate Rigidity D. Hemiplegia

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. Decorticate rigidity is characterized by flexion of the arms and extension of the legs. In this posture, the upper arms are flexed and held tightly to the sides, with the elbows, wrists, and fingers also flexed. The legs are extended and internally rotated.
B. Flaccid posture, or flaccidity, is characterized by a complete lack of muscle tone, which leads to a limp and lifeless appearance. There is no resistance to passive movement, and the muscles are weak or paralyzed.

C. Decerebrate rigidity is characterized by extension of both the arms and the legs. In this posture, the arms are extended at the sides with the wrists and fingers flexed, and the legs are extended and internally rotated. This type of rigidity indicates damage to the brainstem below the red nucleus.
D. Hemiplegia refers to paralysis of one side of the body, which can result from brain injury or stroke affecting one hemisphere of the brain. The affected side will have limited or no movement and muscle tone.

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

When preparing to test a client for meningeal irritation, what would the nurse do first?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

In the Neuro ICU, a comatose patient has this posture in bed: Upper arms are flexed tight to the sides with elbows, wrists, and fingers flexed. The legs are extended and internally rotated. The nurse interprets this posture as:

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Which are the 3 areas included in the Glasgow Coma Scale to assess levels of consciousness? Select all that Apply.

When assessing cranial nerves IX and X, which of the following would the nurse consider as a normal finding?

A nurse is conducting a health history with a client who has recently had a stroke. The nurse notes the client is unable to speak, although his comprehension/ understanding is intact. Which disorder of speech is the nurse observing in this client?

Which of the following tests would be most appropriate for the nurse to use when assessing motor function of the trigeminal nerve?

A client is able to actively move the right arm against gravity. How should the nurse document this finding using the muscle strength grading?

Stroke Warning signs includes? Select all that applied.

A nurse is having difficulty eliciting a patellar reflex. Which of the following would be most appropriate for the nurse to have the client do?

A nurse is performing a physical examination on a patient. When the patient is asked to protrude his tongue, the nurse noticed a deviation from the midline to the right side. This is related to a lesion of: