The nurse notes documentation that a child with meningitis is exhibiting a positive Kernig's sign. Which observation is a characteristic of this sign?
Petechial and purpuric rashes are noted on the child's trunk
Neck flexion causes adduction and flexion movements of the lower extremities
The child is not able to extend the leg when the thigh is flexed anteriorly at the hip
The child complains of muscle and joint pain
The Correct Answer is C
C. This is characteristic of Kernig's sign. Kernig's sign is elicited when the thigh is flexed at the hip and then attempts to extend the leg at the knee are met with resistance or pain due to inflammation of the meninges.
A. Petechial and purpuric rashes are associated with meningococcal meningitis, not specifically with Kernig's sign. These rashes result from bleeding into the skin and are a characteristic feature of meningococcal sepsis. However, they are not directly related to Kernig's sign.
B. This observation describes Brudzinski's sign, not Kernig's sign. Brudzinski's sign occurs when passive flexion of the neck causes involuntary flexion of the hips and knees due to meningeal irritation.
D. Muscle and joint pain can be symptoms of meningitis, but they are not specific to Kernig's sign. Kernig's sign specifically refers to resistance or pain experienced when attempting to extend the leg at the knee.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
C. Muscle weakness and lack of coordination contribute to difficulties with balance and coordination, leading to frequent falls and clumsiness in children with DMD.
A. DMD typically presents with symptoms such as difficulty climbing stairs, a waddling gait, and calf muscle hypertrophy, rather than atrophy.
B. Delayed fine-motor development is not a typical manifestation of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. DMD primarily affects muscle strength and function rather than fine motor skills.
D. Ambulating by holding onto furniture is not typical in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. As the disease progresses, children with DMD typically experience difficulty walking and may eventually require the use of assistive devices such as wheelchairs or orthoses for mobility.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
D. A high-pitched cry, often described as a "crying in pain" or "irritable cry," can be a characteristic sign of meningitis in infants. The cry may sound different from the infant's usual cry and may be associated with irritability, discomfort, or pain. It can be indicative of increased intracranial pressure and neurological irritation caused by the inflammation of the meninges.
A. Constipation is not typically associated with meningitis in infants. Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, which can cause symptoms such as fever, irritability, poor feeding, vomiting, and lethargy.
B. A depressed anterior fontanel (sunken soft spot on the baby's head) is not a typical manifestation of meningitis. Meningitis may cause signs of increased intracranial pressure, such as a bulging fontanel, rather than a depressed fontanel.
C. he presence of the rooting reflex is not specific to meningitis. The rooting reflex is a normal reflex present in infants, where they turn their head toward a stimulus (such as stroking the cheek or corner of the mouth) in search of nourishment (typically the breast or bottle).
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