Which signs may be positive in the patient with meningitis?
Kernig and Brudzinski sign
Patellar reflex
Pupillary reflex
Blumberg sign
The Correct Answer is A
A. Kernig's sign is positive when there is pain and resistance to extending the leg at the knee when the hip is flexed, and Brudzinski's sign is positive when the client involuntarily flexes their knees and hips when the neck is flexed. These are both signs of meningeal irritation, which is characteristic of meningitis.
B. The patellar reflex is a deep tendon reflex that assesses the function of the L2-L4 spinal nerves. It is not specific to meningitis and would not be a primary indicator.
C. The pupillary reflex assesses the response of the pupils to light and is not specific to meningitis. It can be affected by various neurological conditions, but it is not a primary sign of meningitis.
D. Blumberg's sign is associated with peritonitis and indicates rebound tenderness in the abdomen. It is not related to meningitis, which affects the central nervous system rather than the abdominal cavity.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Shallow, even respirations may be a normal finding or indicate respiratory distress, but it is not a specific sign of increased ICP. It should still be monitored, but it is not the most concerning finding in this scenario.
B. Narrowing pulse pressure, which is the difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure, is a sign of increased intracranial pressure (ICP). As ICP rises, the body compensates by increasing systolic blood pressure and decreasing diastolic pressure, leading to a narrowing pulse pressure. This is a critical sign that should be reported immediately to the RN.
C. Increased systolic blood pressure is a compensatory mechanism to maintain cerebral perfusion when ICP increases. While it is concerning, it is not as immediately alarming as narrowing pulse pressure, which is a more direct indicator of increased ICP.
D. A pulse of 98 is within normal limits for most adults and does not indicate any immediate concern regarding increased ICP. It should be monitored, but it does not require urgent reporting to the RN.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. The postictal phase refers to the period immediately following a seizure when the client is often drowsy, confused, or difficult to arouse. This phase can last for several minutes to hours, depending on the individual.
B. Absence seizures are brief, generalized seizures characterized by staring and loss of awareness, often without a postictal phase.
C. The aura phase refers to the sensory warning or symptoms that precede a seizure, not the post-seizure state.
D. Automatisms are involuntary, repetitive movements (such as lip smacking or hand wringing) that can occur during a seizure, but they do not describe the postictal state.
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