Which of the following best describes the characteristics of the left ventricle in diastolic heart failure?

A. Left-sided weakness may occur with a stroke or focal brain lesion, not typically with meningitis.
B. Nuchal rigidity (stiff neck) is a hallmark sign of meningeal irritation seen in meningitis.
C. Fatigue is nonspecific and can occur in many illnesses but is not a defining feature of meningitis.
D. Chest pain is unrelated to the inflammation of the meninges.

A. Administer antibiotics only if the client has a high fever on two separate occasions – Waiting for multiple fevers delays critical treatment and is not evidence-based.
B. Start antibiotics immediately, even before confirmation of diagnosis – In suspected bacterial meningitis, early administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics is life-saving. Delaying treatment until confirmation can lead to rapid deterioration due to the severity and speed of disease progression.
C. Wait for confirmation of diagnosis before starting antibiotics – Delaying antibiotic treatment while waiting for lab confirmation (e.g., lumbar puncture) puts the patient at risk of worsening illness and complications.
D. Avoid antibiotics altogether as they are not effective against bacterial meningitis – Antibiotics are the mainstay of treatment for bacterial meningitis and significantly reduce mortality and morbidity.