A nurse is assisting with planning care for a school-age child on the pediatric unit.

div id="exhibits">Exhibits

Rationale for Correct Choices:

• Seizures: The adolescent’s fever, headache, photophobia, and neck stiffness (resistance to flexion) are consistent with signs of meningitis, which can lead to seizures, especially in the setting of increased intracranial pressure. Seizures are a known complication of untreated or severe meningitis.
• Signs of meningeal irritation: The adolescent demonstrates classic signs of meningeal irritation, such as photophobia, severe headache, and neck stiffness, which suggest inflammation of the meninges. This is a key indicator of potential meningitis and the associated risk of seizures.

Rationale for Incorrect Choices:

• Lyme disease: While Lyme disease can cause neurological symptoms, including headache and fever, the absence of a characteristic erythema migrans rash or recent tick exposure makes it less likely.
• Constipation: Constipation is not a likely complication given the adolescent's current symptoms, which are focused on fever, headache, and neurological signs. It does not explain the risk for seizures.
• Mononucleosis: Although mononucleosis can cause fever and malaise, it typically does not present with neck stiffness, photophobia, or the acute onset of severe headache that is suggestive of meningitis. The symptoms in this case are more concerning for meningitis.
• Pneumonia: Pneumonia is unlikely given the absence of respiratory findings such as cough or difficulty breathing. The symptoms are more consistent with a central nervous system infection, like meningitis, than a respiratory infection.
• Fever: While fever is present in meningitis, it alone does not indicate the risk for seizures. It is the combination of fever, headache, photophobia, and meningeal signs that increases the risk for complications like seizures.
• Inability to eat and drink: The inability to eat and drink is likely a result of nausea and vomiting, which is common in many illnesses, including meningitis. However, it is not a direct indicator of the risk for seizures, which is more strongly linked to meningeal irritation.
• Respiratory findings: There are no significant respiratory symptoms, such as difficulty breathing or abnormal lung sounds, making respiratory findings irrelevant in this case. The adolescent’s symptoms are primarily neurological.

• Steatorrhea: Steatorrhea (fatty stools) is a common symptom of cystic fibrosis due to pancreatic insufficiency. It is not directly related to the current acute infection (Streptococcus pneumonia).
• Barrel chest: A barrel chest is a chronic sign of cystic fibrosis caused by long-standing lung disease and airway obstruction. It is not related to the acute infection (Streptococcus pneumonia) but reflects the long-term effects of cystic fibrosis.
• Hemoptysis 300 mL: Hemoptysis, 300 mL, is a significant and concerning sign of potential worsening condition. While blood-streaked sputum was initially noted, a large volume like 300 mL indicates significant bleeding from the lungs.
• WBC count 17,000/mm³: The initial WBC count was 22,000/mm3, indicating an active bacterial infection. A decrease to 17,000/mm3, while still elevated, suggests that the body's inflammatory response is potentially improving and that the infection IS responding to treatment.
• Oxygen saturation 95% on 1 L oxygen via nasal cannula: The oxygen saturation has improved (from 92% to 95%) with a reduction in the amount of supplemental oxygen, indicating that the patient’s respiratory status is improving.
• Respiratory rate 32/min: The respiratory rate has decreased slightly from 36/min to 32/min, indicating that the patient’s breathing is becoming more stable as the condition improves. However, respiratory rate should still be closely monitored as part of overall progress.