Test 4: Neuro, Onc and Endocrine Flashcards
(189 cards)
What type of meningitis is more severe, and what causes it?
Bacterial-Neisseria meningitidis which causes meningococcal meningitis
What are the causes of viral meningitis?
Mumps
Measles
Herpes
Arboviruses
How is viral meningitis prevented?
MMR Vaccine
What is the vaccine schedule for MMR vaccination?
1st vaccine at 12-15 months and 2nd at 4-6 years of age
How can bacterial meningitis be prevented?
Hib vaccine given at 2 months, 4 months, (6 months) and 12 to 15 months of age
What is the hallmark symptom of bacterial meningitis?
Excruciating constant headache
What are the subjective signs of bacterial meningitis?
Excruciating, constant headache (HALLMARK)
Nuchal Rigidity (stiff neck)
Photophobia
Altered mental status (patient is deteriorating)
What are the objective symptoms of bacterial meningitis?
Pallor, cold extremities with high fever, signs of shock (early s/s)
Fever, Chills
N/V
Stomach/joint/muscle pain
LOC (confusion, disorientation, lethargy, difficulty swallowing, coma)
+ Kernig’s Sign
+ Brudzinski’s Sign
May not be very obvious due to nucal rigidity
Hyperactive deep tendon reflexes
Tachycardia
Tachypnea
Seizures
Red Macular Rash
Restlessness, irritability
What are Kernigs and Brudzinki’s signs?
Kernig’s: Knee cannot fully extend when patient is supine and hip is flexed 90 degrees
Brudzinki’s Neck sign: passive flexion of the neck causes flexion of both legs and thighs
What is the ‘glass test’ in regards to meningitis?
Macular red rash from meningitis will not blanche when glass is pressed against it
Meningitis, when exhibited in older adults, immunocompromised patients, or patients on antibiotics may not exhibit what symptom?
A fever
What labs should you collect on a patient with meningitis?
Urine
Throat
Nose
Blood Culture and Sensitivity
**Basically you are trying to identify the possible infectious bacteria asap to be able to administer antibiotic
What is the most definitive diagnostics for meningitis?
A lumber puncture for CSF analysis
What is the alternative diagnostic measure if there is a delay in a lumbar puncture?
Blood Culture and Sensitivity
What is a lumbar puncture for CSF analyzed for?
Cell Count
Differential Cell Count
Glucose concentrations
Culture/sensitivity/gram stain
How many tubes of CSF will be collected during the lumbar puncture?
3-5
If the meningitis is bacterial, what results will we see on a CSF?
Cloudy
Increased protein, WBC, CSF Pressure
Decreased glucose
If the meningitis is viral, what results will we see on a CSF?
Clear
Increased protein, CSF Pressure
Normal Glucose
Inability to move the eyes to the left (6th cranial nerve defect) can indicate?
The development of hydrocephalus
In older patients with meningitis, what should you also monitor for?
Pneumonia
Meningitis Medications:
Antibiotic:
Ceftriaxone or Cefotaxime
Meningitis Medications:
Anticonvulsant:
Phenytoin
Meningitis Medications:
Antipyretic:
Acetaminophen
Meningitis Medications:
Analgesic:
Non-opioid because you do not want to alter mental status