Viral Meningitis Flashcards
1
Q
Pathophysiology
A
- Enteroviruses (echovirus and coxsackievirus) affecting the meninges in the brain
2
Q
Risk Factors
A
- Young Age ( 1 month to 5 years)
- Any fever or illness during pregnancy or around delivery
- Exposure to ill person
- Exposure to tuberculosis
- Travel History
- History of Maternal Illness
- Recent neurosurgical procedure or head trauma
- Presence of a foreign body such as a shunt or a cochlear implant
- Immunocompromised status
- Close-contact living space
- Day-care attendance
3
Q
Sign and Symptoms
A
- Fever
- General Malaise
- Headache
- Photophobia
- Poor Feeding
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Irritability
- Lethargy
- Neck pain
- Positive Kernig and Brudzinski signs
4
Q
Kernig Sign
A
Tested by flexing legs at the hip and knee
5
Q
Brudzinski Sign
A
Tested by the child laying supine with the neck flexed
6
Q
Nursing Management
A
- Treated aggressively as they have bacterial meningitis until diagnoses is confirmed
1. Antibiotics are administered until causative organism is recognized. If viral, antibiotics discontinues and antiviral agent may be started
2. Focus on comfort measures to reduce pain and fever
3. Can be managed at home if child’s neurologic status is stable and tolerating oral intake
7
Q
Cerebrospinal Fluid Analysis
A
- Clear in appearance
- Opening pressure normal or slightly elevated
- WBC: normal to elevated
- Glucose: normal, may be low
- Protein: elevated
