A nurse is caring for a child who has bacterial meningitis.
Which of the following findings should indicate to the nurse that the child can be removed from droplet precautions?
Antibiotics initiated 24 hr ago
Negative Cerebrospinal fluid culture
Absent nuchal rigidity
Temperature below 37.4 C (99.4F)
The Correct Answer is A
The correct answer is A. Antibiotics initiated 24 hr ago.
Explanation:
Children with bacterial meningitis require droplet precautions to prevent the spread of infection. These precautions can typically be discontinued after 24 hours of effective antibiotic therapy, as the risk of transmission significantly decreases.
Why the other options are incorrect:
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B. Negative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture – While a negative CSF culture confirms the absence of bacteria, cultures may take several days to process. Droplet precautions are usually lifted based on treatment duration, not pending lab results.
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C. Absent nuchal rigidity – Nuchal rigidity (stiff neck) is a symptom of meningitis, but its resolution does not determine infectious risk.
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D. Temperature below 37.4°C (99.4°F) – Fever reduction is a sign of improvement but does not indicate that the infection is no longer transmissible.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Increased urine output is not a typical indication of effective chest physiotherapy treatment in a child with cystic fibrosis.
Choice B rationale
Increased expectoration, or coughing up and spitting out mucus, is a sign that chest physiotherapy is effective. The goal of chest physiotherapy is to help clear the thick, sticky mucus from the lungs of children with cystic fibrosis.
Reduced pain is not a typical indication of effective chest physiotherapy treatment in a child with cystic fibrosis.
Choice D rationale
An increased heart rate is not a typical indication of effective chest physiotherapy treatment in a child with cystic fibrosis.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Prolonged headache is not typically identified as a common trigger for seizures. While headaches can be associated with certain types of seizures, they are not generally considered a trigger for seizure activity.
Choice B rationale
Decreased temperature, or hypothermia, is not typically identified as a common trigger for seizures. In fact, fever or increased body temperature is more commonly associated with triggering seizures, particularly in children.
Choice C rationale
Lack of sleep is a well-recognized trigger for seizures. Sleep deprivation can lead to increased seizure frequency in individuals with epilepsy. Ensuring adequate sleep is an important part of managing seizure disorders.
Choice D rationale
Exposure to second-hand smoke is not typically identified as a common trigger for seizures. While it is generally harmful to health, it is not specifically associated with an increased risk of seizures.
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