Nursing Care for Pediatric Neurological
Conditions ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS
Bacterial Meningitis; what is it? Who is more susceptible? - Correct answers an inflammation of
the meninges, the covering of the brain and spinal cord caused by Group b streptococcus (GBS) ;
most common for children under 2 months
Meningitis caused by H. influenzae primarily occurs in ______________ and ______________.
( Think time of year) - Correct answers autumn and early winter.
Pneumococcal and meningococcal infections can occur at any time but are more common in
________________ and ________________. (think time of year) - Correct answers later winter
and early spring.
2 most common etiologies for bacterial meningitis in children older than 2 months of age? -
Correct answers Streptococcus pneumoniae
Neisseria meningitidis
How is meningococcal meningitis transmitted? - Correct answers droplet infection from
nasopharyngeal secretions
When should people receive the meningococcal vaccine? - Correct answers All children between
the ages of 11-18 years old should be vaccinated with the meningococcal vaccine with a booster
5 years later.
Organisms from the nasopharynx invade the underlying blood vessels and enter the
_____________________ or form local thromboemboli that release ________________ into the
bloodstream. - Correct answers cerebral blood supply; septic emboli
, Signs and symptoms of Bacterial Meningitis? - Correct answers Fever, Chills, Headache,
Vomiting
*Nuchal rigidity
Kernig Sign
Brudzinski Sign
Nuchal rigidity - Correct answers inability to flex neck and place chin on chest
Kernig sign - Correct answers patient in supine position with the hip and knee flexed at 90
degrees, cannot extend the knee more than 135 degrees; pain felt in hamstrings.
Brudzinski sign - Correct answers patient in supine flexes the lower extremities if passive flexion
of the neck is attempted
Purpuric or petechial rash means ___________________________________________. - Correct
answersoverwhelming meningococcemia.
MEDICAL EMERGENCY
Diagnostic tests for Bacterial Meningitis? - Correct answersLumbar Puncture is the definitive
diagnostic test.
CSF samples are cultured, stained and evaluated for glucose and protein.
Bacterial Meningitis medical management? - Correct answersIsolation precautions IV
antibiotics
Restrict hydration
Reduction of increased ICP
Control of seizures with anticonvulsants for first few days.
Conditions ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS
Bacterial Meningitis; what is it? Who is more susceptible? - Correct answers an inflammation of
the meninges, the covering of the brain and spinal cord caused by Group b streptococcus (GBS) ;
most common for children under 2 months
Meningitis caused by H. influenzae primarily occurs in ______________ and ______________.
( Think time of year) - Correct answers autumn and early winter.
Pneumococcal and meningococcal infections can occur at any time but are more common in
________________ and ________________. (think time of year) - Correct answers later winter
and early spring.
2 most common etiologies for bacterial meningitis in children older than 2 months of age? -
Correct answers Streptococcus pneumoniae
Neisseria meningitidis
How is meningococcal meningitis transmitted? - Correct answers droplet infection from
nasopharyngeal secretions
When should people receive the meningococcal vaccine? - Correct answers All children between
the ages of 11-18 years old should be vaccinated with the meningococcal vaccine with a booster
5 years later.
Organisms from the nasopharynx invade the underlying blood vessels and enter the
_____________________ or form local thromboemboli that release ________________ into the
bloodstream. - Correct answers cerebral blood supply; septic emboli
, Signs and symptoms of Bacterial Meningitis? - Correct answers Fever, Chills, Headache,
Vomiting
*Nuchal rigidity
Kernig Sign
Brudzinski Sign
Nuchal rigidity - Correct answers inability to flex neck and place chin on chest
Kernig sign - Correct answers patient in supine position with the hip and knee flexed at 90
degrees, cannot extend the knee more than 135 degrees; pain felt in hamstrings.
Brudzinski sign - Correct answers patient in supine flexes the lower extremities if passive flexion
of the neck is attempted
Purpuric or petechial rash means ___________________________________________. - Correct
answersoverwhelming meningococcemia.
MEDICAL EMERGENCY
Diagnostic tests for Bacterial Meningitis? - Correct answersLumbar Puncture is the definitive
diagnostic test.
CSF samples are cultured, stained and evaluated for glucose and protein.
Bacterial Meningitis medical management? - Correct answersIsolation precautions IV
antibiotics
Restrict hydration
Reduction of increased ICP
Control of seizures with anticonvulsants for first few days.
