Meningitis

• Meningitis is inflammation of the areas surrounding the brain and spinal cord (meninges) caused by bacteria, fungi, viruses, or parasites, leading to increased intracranial pressure
• Causes of meningitis include infection, head trauma, and autoimmune diseases like lupus
• Two main causes of meningitis are viral infection, which can resolve without treatment, and bacterial infection, which can be severe and requires antibiotics
• Meningitis spreads through exposure to an infectious person and is more common in crowded conditions like hospitals, schools, and prisons
• Key signs and symptoms of meningitis include headache, photophobia, stiff neck (nuchal rigidity), high fever, agitation, altered level of consciousness, tachycardia, seizures, and petechiae rash
• Diagnosis of meningitis involves tests like the Kernig sign (painful straightening of the leg) and the Brudzinski sign (flexing of the neck, hips, and knees), with a CT scan done before a lumbar puncture to test the cerebrospinal fluid for infection
• In bacterial meningitis, cerebrospinal fluid is cloudy with decreased glucose, increased protein, increased white blood cells, and a positive gram stain; in viral meningitis, the fluid is clear with normal glucose, slight increase in protein and white blood cells, and a negative gram stain
• Nursing care for meningitis patients includes placing them on droplet precautions, getting labs after personal protective equipment (PPE), administering blood cultures first and antibiotics second, keeping the patient in a dark, quiet place with the head of the bed elevated at 30 degrees, and monitoring for signs of worsening intracranial pressure
• Droplet precautions for meningitis include wearing a surgical mask, goggles, being in a single room, and using personal protective equipment (PPE) properly
• Nursing interventions for lumbar puncture include emptying the bladder before the test, positioning the patient with knees to the chest/abdomen and chin to the chest during the procedure, and lying the patient flat after the test
• Viral meningitis usually resolves on its own without treatment but may cause symptoms such as fever, headache, vomiting, sensitivity to light, and muscle pain.
• Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord caused by bacteria or viruses.
• PPE: Putting on gown, mask, goggles & then gloves
• Taking off: gloves, goggles, gown & mask.
• Lumbar puncture: The client needs to round their back by putting their knees to their chest/abdomen and bend chin to the chest. (NEVER prone). Once done lie patient flat, pt. needs to consume fluids (help replace CSF lost) insertion dressing site for clear fluid
• Meningitis patients are at more risk for decreased cerebral circulation
• Meningitis in Pediatrics: HIGH pitched cry & bolding fontanels
• how to prevent meningitis?

  Vaccines (flu & pneumonia)
• How is meningitis spread?

  Through respiratory droplets; Person to Person
• Who is at risk for meningitis

  INFECTIONS & weak immune system
• What is the most common form of bacterial meningitis?

  Neisseria meningitidis