A nurse is preparing a child who has suspected bacterial meningitis for a lumbar puncture. Which of the following cerebrospinal fluid findings supports the diagnosis?
Decreased WBCs.
Elevated glucose.
Elevated total protein.
Decreased pressure.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale:
Decreased white blood cells (WBCs) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) would not support the diagnosis of bacterial meningitis. In bacterial meningitis, the presence of bacteria triggers an inflammatory response, leading to an increase in WBCs in the CSF (pleocytosis).
Choice B rationale:
Elevated glucose levels in CSF would actually be more consistent with viral rather than bacterial meningitis. In bacterial meningitis, glucose levels are typically decreased due to the high metabolic demands of bacteria on the glucose present in the CSF.
Choice C rationale:
Elevated total protein in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is indicative of inflammation and disruption of the blood-brain barrier. Bacterial meningitis causes an intense inflammatory response, leading to an increase in total protein in the CSF.
Choice D rationale:
Decreased pressure in the CSF would not be a characteristic finding in bacterial meningitis. In fact, bacterial meningitis often leads to an increase in CSF pressure due to the inflammation and accumulation of inflammatory cells and proteins.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Maintaining oral rehydration therapy is a crucial nursing action when caring for a child with shigella, which is a bacterial infection that causes severe diarrhea. Oral rehydration therapy helps prevent dehydration and electrolyte imbalances caused by fluid loss from diarrhea. It involves giving the child oral rehydration solutions containing electrolytes and fluids to replace those lost through diarrhea.
Choice B rationale:
Providing a diet high in sodium is not recommended for a child with shigella. Shigella is associated with diarrhea and gastrointestinal symptoms, and a high-sodium diet can worsen fluid imbalances and dehydration.
Choice C rationale:
Shigella is a bacterial infection, not a viral infection, so administering antiviral medication would not be effective or appropriate. Antiviral medications are used to treat viral infections, not bacterial ones like shigella.
Choice D rationale:
Giving antidiarrheal agents every 4 hours is not recommended for a child with shigella. Antidiarrheal agents can slow down the gastrointestinal tract and inhibit the body's natural mechanism for expelling harmful substances, such as bacteria. It's important to allow the body to eliminate the bacteria and toxins causing the infection through diarrhea, while simultaneously providing rehydration support.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
The Rotavirus vaccine is typically administered to infants, usually starting at 2 months of age, to protect against severe diarrhea and vomiting caused by rotavirus infection. However, the child in question is 11 years old, and the rotavirus vaccine is not recommended for administration at this age. The vaccine's protection window is within the infant and early childhood period, and the child would likely have received this vaccine earlier.
Choice B rationale:
Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) Hib vaccine is recommended as a series of doses to protect against Haemophilus influenzae type B infection, which can lead to severe illnesses like meningitis and pneumonia. While the child may have received this vaccine in infancy, a booster dose is often recommended around age 11 to ensure ongoing protection. This choice is correct for the given age group.
Choice C rationale:
Hepatitis A Hepatitis A vaccine is typically administered in two doses, with the first dose given at age 1 and the second dose administered at least 6 months later. The child in question is 11 years old, and assuming the child received the vaccine as per the standard schedule, there would be no need to administer this vaccine again.
Choice D rationale:
Human papillomavirus (HPV) HPV vaccine is recommended for adolescents to protect against several strains of the human papillomavirus that can lead to various cancers later in life. It's usually administered in a series of doses starting around age 11 or 12. However, the prompt states that the child is already up-to-date with current immunizations, and if the child received the HPV vaccine at the appropriate age, there would be no need for another dose at this time.
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