NURSING 445 ATI
Final_Study_Guide_Nursing_care_of_children study
guide latest update
ATI Final Study Guide
• Chapter 12: Bacterial Meningitis (starting on page 59)
o Couple questions on the ATI Final
o Nursing Care for Meningitis (Highlights)
▪ Reportable findings: The presence of petechiae or a
purpuric-type rash requires immediate medical attention
▪ Isolate the client as soon as meningitis is suspected and
maintain droplet precautions per facility protocol.
• Droplet precautions require a private room or a room
with clients who have an infection from the same
microorganism, ensuring
that each client has his or her own designated
equipment.
• Providers and visitors should wear a mask.
• Maintain respiratory isolation for a minimum of
24 hr. after initiation of antibiotic therapy.
NURSING 445 ATI
Final_Study_Guide_Nursing_care_of_children study
guide latest update
,NURSING 445 ATI
Final_Study_Guide_Nursing_care_of_children study
guide latest update
▪ Decrease environmental stimuli
• Such as providing a quiet environment
• Minimize exposure to bright light (which includes
natural and electric form of lighting)
▪ For newborns and infants, monitor head circumference
and fontanels for presence of or changes in bulging
o Expected Findings of Meningitis
▪ Headache
▪ Nuchal rigidity
▪ Bulging fontanels
▪ Positive Kernig’s sign
▪ Vomiting
▪ Fever and Chills
▪ Irritability
▪ Photophobia
▪ Petechiae (2 years of age or older)
o Need to be familiar with signs and symptoms associated
with increased intracranial pressure (Table 49.3) Page 1383
▪ **bulging fontanelles
NURSING 445 ATI
Final_Study_Guide_Nursing_care_of_children study
guide latest update
,NURSING 445 ATI
Final_Study_Guide_Nursing_care_of_children study
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▪ **high pitch cry; change in a baby’s cry
▪ **headache
NURSING 445 ATI
Final_Study_Guide_Nursing_care_of_children study
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, NURSING 445 ATI
Final_Study_Guide_Nursing_care_of_children study
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▪ **Eye Changes (e.g. Diplopia)
▪ **Vomiting
▪ **Vital Sign Changes
• Elevated temperature and blood pressure;
• decreased pulse and respiration rates
o CSF analysis indicative of meningitis.
▪ BACTERIAL
• Cloudy color (only bacterial will be cloudy)
• Elevated WBC count
• Elevated protein content
• Decreased glucose content
• Positive Gram stain
▪ VIRAL
• Clear color
• Slightly elevated WBC count
• Normal or slightly elevated protein content
• Normal glucose content
• Negative Gram stain
o Treatment/management of Meningitis
NURSING 445 ATI
Final_Study_Guide_Nursing_care_of_children study
guide latest update
Final_Study_Guide_Nursing_care_of_children study
guide latest update
ATI Final Study Guide
• Chapter 12: Bacterial Meningitis (starting on page 59)
o Couple questions on the ATI Final
o Nursing Care for Meningitis (Highlights)
▪ Reportable findings: The presence of petechiae or a
purpuric-type rash requires immediate medical attention
▪ Isolate the client as soon as meningitis is suspected and
maintain droplet precautions per facility protocol.
• Droplet precautions require a private room or a room
with clients who have an infection from the same
microorganism, ensuring
that each client has his or her own designated
equipment.
• Providers and visitors should wear a mask.
• Maintain respiratory isolation for a minimum of
24 hr. after initiation of antibiotic therapy.
NURSING 445 ATI
Final_Study_Guide_Nursing_care_of_children study
guide latest update
,NURSING 445 ATI
Final_Study_Guide_Nursing_care_of_children study
guide latest update
▪ Decrease environmental stimuli
• Such as providing a quiet environment
• Minimize exposure to bright light (which includes
natural and electric form of lighting)
▪ For newborns and infants, monitor head circumference
and fontanels for presence of or changes in bulging
o Expected Findings of Meningitis
▪ Headache
▪ Nuchal rigidity
▪ Bulging fontanels
▪ Positive Kernig’s sign
▪ Vomiting
▪ Fever and Chills
▪ Irritability
▪ Photophobia
▪ Petechiae (2 years of age or older)
o Need to be familiar with signs and symptoms associated
with increased intracranial pressure (Table 49.3) Page 1383
▪ **bulging fontanelles
NURSING 445 ATI
Final_Study_Guide_Nursing_care_of_children study
guide latest update
,NURSING 445 ATI
Final_Study_Guide_Nursing_care_of_children study
guide latest update
▪ **high pitch cry; change in a baby’s cry
▪ **headache
NURSING 445 ATI
Final_Study_Guide_Nursing_care_of_children study
guide latest update
, NURSING 445 ATI
Final_Study_Guide_Nursing_care_of_children study
guide latest update
▪ **Eye Changes (e.g. Diplopia)
▪ **Vomiting
▪ **Vital Sign Changes
• Elevated temperature and blood pressure;
• decreased pulse and respiration rates
o CSF analysis indicative of meningitis.
▪ BACTERIAL
• Cloudy color (only bacterial will be cloudy)
• Elevated WBC count
• Elevated protein content
• Decreased glucose content
• Positive Gram stain
▪ VIRAL
• Clear color
• Slightly elevated WBC count
• Normal or slightly elevated protein content
• Normal glucose content
• Negative Gram stain
o Treatment/management of Meningitis
NURSING 445 ATI
Final_Study_Guide_Nursing_care_of_children study
guide latest update
