Meningitis is an acute contagious disease causing inflammation of the outer covering of the brain (meninges); it is caused by several microorganisms (viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic).
Causative agents:
• Viral etiology (herpes viruses, Adenovirus, Arbovirus)
• Bacterial (Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Haemophilus, etc).
• Fungal (Cryptococcus)
• Parasitic (Naegleria)
The modes of transmission of pneumonia are usually droplet contact and contact with nasopharyngeal secretions.
The signs and symptoms are:
• Fever sometimes with chills
• Headache, severe with photophobia and irritability
• Signs of Meningeal irritation are Kerning’s sign-(knee), Nuchal rigidity (the neck is stiff when you flex it), opisthotonus (arching of the back), brudzinski’s sign (nape) (when you flex the neck, the knee will follow)
Signs of increase intracranial pressure are: altered level of consciousness, projectile vomiting, papilledema, dilated pupils, increase BP and widened pulse pressure, bradycardia (slow heart rate), irregular breathing pattern and headache.
The signs of increase ICP (intracranial pressures in infants are: bulging fontanels, high-pitched cry, increase head circumference and widened cranial sutures
Diagnostic Examinations are: Lumbar puncture (must have informed consent), blood culture and cranial CT scan
The medical management for this disease are: Mannitol (the patient’s blood pressure should be check first before taking this drug), Antibiotics (penicillin, 3rd and 4th generation cephalosporins, etc), Corticosteroids (Dexamethasone), and Anticonvulsants (Diazepam, Phenobarbital, etc.)
The nurse will assess your patient for signs of increase ICP (intracranial pressure), seizures, and fever.
Provide adequate rest for the patient, keep room quiet and dim.
Do not leave your patient alone
The nurse will teach you how to maintain the fluid and electrolyte balance of the patient.
Diet should be high in protein, high caloric in small frequent feedings.
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