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

Check for a Babinski reflex

Position the client prone

Ensure no injury to the cervical spine

Check for evidence of fever and chills

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

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.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. The obturator sign is used to assess for appendicitis, not meningitis. To perform this test, the patient’s right knee is flexed to 90 degrees, and the nurse rotates the hip internally and externally. Pain during this maneuver can indicate irritation of the obturator muscle, which is associated with inflammation of the appendix.

B. The Brudzinski sign is a clinical test used to assess meningeal irritation. When the patient’s neck is passively flexed while lying supine, a positive Brudzinski sign is indicated if the patient involuntarily flexes their knees and hips in response to neck pain. This sign is often seen in meningitis as a result of irritation of the meninges.
C. The Phalen sign is used to diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome. The patient flexes their wrists and holds the position for a period of time to see if symptoms of numbness or tingling appear in the fingers, which would indicate median nerve compression at the wrist. This sign is unrelated to meningitis.
D. The Tinel sign is also used to diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome and other peripheral nerve issues. It involves tapping on the nerve (such as the median nerve at the wrist) to see if it causes tingling or a “pins and needles” sensation along the nerve’s distribution. Like the Phalen sign, it is not related to meningitis.

A. 3-6 B. 13-15 D. 9-12

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. 3- This is the lowest possible score on the GCS and reflects no eye opening, no verbal response, and no motor response to stimuli. Score of 4-6: The patient might exhibit some responses, but these responses are still severely impaired. For example, the patient might open their eyes to pain but not respond verbally or move purposefully.
B. A GCS score in the range of 13 to 15 reflects a higher level of consciousness.
C. A GCS score of 0 is not a valid score on the scale.
D. A GCS score in the range of 9 to 12 reflects moderate impairment of consciousness.

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

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A patient is diagnosed with Meningitis. During the physical examination in the supine position, the nurse flexed the patient's neck and the patient flexed his knees and hip while complaining of neck pain. This is known as:

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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