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– inflammation of the brain and the spinal meninges.

Note: Droplet precaution have to be maintained until antibiotic therapy is given.

Causes:

• – Head Trauma
• – Skull Fracture
• – Bacteria: Haemophilus Influenzae, Neissria Meningitidis
• – Viruses

DIAGNOSIS:

Lumbar Puncture Procedure – (increased CSF pressure and increase in WBC count .

POSITION: Sidelying with head down to the chest w/ legs pulled up.

Needle is inserted at Lubar area (L4-L5)

Pre-Op

– Let pt. empty bladder

– Position: Lateral recumbant w/ knees flexed

ASSESSMENT (Meningitis):

• – Confusion
• – Lethargy
• – Fever
• – Nuchal Rigidity/ Stiff Neck

* Increased Intracranial pressure (ICP)

Tests for Meningitis

Brudzinski’s Sign

• INVOLUNTARY FLEXION OF THE HIP AND KNEE WHEN THE NECK IS FLEXED.

Kernig’s Sign

• LOSS OF THE ABILITY OF A SUPINE CLIENT TO STRAIGHTEN THE LEG WHEN FLEXED AT THE KNEE AND HIP.

TREATMENT:

– Bed Rest

– Antibiotics

• Penicillin G
• Ampicillin (Omnipen)
• Tetracycline

– Steroids

– Anticonvulsants

• Phenytoin (Dilantin)
• Phenobarbital

– Diuretics

• Mannitol

– Corticosteroids

Interventions:

Make sure to monitor neuorological funtion.

Make sure to detect early signs of increased ICP.

Maintain a quiet environment and darken the room.