Pediatric infectious disease (ID) Exam
questions and answers best assured
success updated 2025/2026 rated A+
Sx of meningitis are often non-specific and vary by age. However, what three symptoms (if combined
together) should make you strongly suspect meningitis? - CORRECT ANSWERS 1. High fever
2. Nuchal rigidity
3. Photophobia
.. these are more specific signs of meningitis; you really need to think about meningitis
As illustrated in the case study, the most common Sx of meningitis in children younger than 1 yo is.. -
CORRECT ANSWERS Altered mental status:
1) Lethargy
2 Irritability
3) Seizures
As with any infection, CBC w/ diff could show leukocytosis. Typically, the WBC count results are notable
for.. - CORRECT ANSWERS 1. Increased proportion of neutrophils
2. Increased band cells
If not contraindicated, what other lab should be performed?
What would it show? - CORRECT ANSWERS 1. Lumbar puncture- analysis for CSF
2. CSF notable for:
-High WBC
-Low glucose (used up by bacteria)
, -Elevated protein
.. though by this point they should be in the hospital
What other important test should be ordered to figure out the causative organism? - CORRECT
ANSWERS Cultures-blood, CSF, urine
For bacterial meningitis, in children older than 2 months, what are the common causative organisms? -
CORRECT ANSWERS 1. Strep. pneumoniae (pneumococci)- vaccine (PCV) available
-gram positive
2. Neisseria meningiditis (meningococcus): gram negative
3. H. influenza type B (rare nowadays d/t vaccination)
What symptom is more closely related to Meningococcus induced meningitis? - CORRECT ANSWERS
Meningococcal rash
In newborns, the most common pathogens of bacterial meningitis are.. - CORRECT ANSWERS
1. Group B Strep
2. E Coli
3. Listeria monocyotgenes
T/F Empirical treatment should be initiated before blood culture results come back. - CORRECT
ANSWERS True - start with broad spectrum antibiotics
What is the initial broad spectrum Abx of choice for bacterial meningitis? - CORRECT ANSWERS
IV 3rd generation cephalosporins - good CNS penetrance
Ex. ceftriaxone, cefotaximine, ceftazidime
questions and answers best assured
success updated 2025/2026 rated A+
Sx of meningitis are often non-specific and vary by age. However, what three symptoms (if combined
together) should make you strongly suspect meningitis? - CORRECT ANSWERS 1. High fever
2. Nuchal rigidity
3. Photophobia
.. these are more specific signs of meningitis; you really need to think about meningitis
As illustrated in the case study, the most common Sx of meningitis in children younger than 1 yo is.. -
CORRECT ANSWERS Altered mental status:
1) Lethargy
2 Irritability
3) Seizures
As with any infection, CBC w/ diff could show leukocytosis. Typically, the WBC count results are notable
for.. - CORRECT ANSWERS 1. Increased proportion of neutrophils
2. Increased band cells
If not contraindicated, what other lab should be performed?
What would it show? - CORRECT ANSWERS 1. Lumbar puncture- analysis for CSF
2. CSF notable for:
-High WBC
-Low glucose (used up by bacteria)
, -Elevated protein
.. though by this point they should be in the hospital
What other important test should be ordered to figure out the causative organism? - CORRECT
ANSWERS Cultures-blood, CSF, urine
For bacterial meningitis, in children older than 2 months, what are the common causative organisms? -
CORRECT ANSWERS 1. Strep. pneumoniae (pneumococci)- vaccine (PCV) available
-gram positive
2. Neisseria meningiditis (meningococcus): gram negative
3. H. influenza type B (rare nowadays d/t vaccination)
What symptom is more closely related to Meningococcus induced meningitis? - CORRECT ANSWERS
Meningococcal rash
In newborns, the most common pathogens of bacterial meningitis are.. - CORRECT ANSWERS
1. Group B Strep
2. E Coli
3. Listeria monocyotgenes
T/F Empirical treatment should be initiated before blood culture results come back. - CORRECT
ANSWERS True - start with broad spectrum antibiotics
What is the initial broad spectrum Abx of choice for bacterial meningitis? - CORRECT ANSWERS
IV 3rd generation cephalosporins - good CNS penetrance
Ex. ceftriaxone, cefotaximine, ceftazidime
