NCLEX Review & Nursing School

Meningitis NCLEX Review

[youtube http://youtu.be/oEGPcawn5KM w=400&h=300]

Meningitis  (By: AllNursingNotes)

Lets take a quick look at Meningitis and what we need to know for the NCLEX.

Meningitis is simply:

– an inflammation of the meninges within the brain and spinal cord.

• * Usually caused by Niesseria meningitidis, Group B Strep and Streptococcus pneumoniae

Again, the two main culprit for Meningitis are

1. Niesseria meningitidis
2. Streptococcus pneumoniae

Assessment findings on the patient:

• * Positive Brudzinski’s Sign

– There is some neck stiffness that causes a patient’s hips and knees to flex when the neck is flexed

• * Positive Kernig’s Sign

– With the patient lying flat, if the patient flexes a hip 90 degrees, and then attempts to extend the lower leg at the knee. Pain on extension is a positive sign.

• Chills
• Fever
• Headache
• Malaise

Diagnostic Evaluation:

• Lumbar Puncture
• Chest X rays