Question

In room 904 is T.M., a 10-month-old child admitted to the pediatric nursing unit for a new-onset seizure that occurred at home. He is admitted with the diagnosis of rule out bacterial meningitis. The lumbar puncture confirms Hemophilus influenzae meningitis. There is a positive Brudsinski sign. T.M.’s has not received any immunizations as his parents do not believe in immunizations.

Item 1.            What clinical signs/symptoms would the nurse expect in an infant with meningitis? Would the signs differ in an older child? How is the definitive diagnosis of meningitis made? The child is ordered on a low maintenance level of fluids in order to prevent what two problems? How will this disease be treated? T.M.’s mother asks you if there is anything she could have done to prevent this illness? T.M.’s older sister, aged 5, comes to visit. She confides to the nurse that she is being punished by God for “being a bad girl.” She states she was mad with her little brother and the day before T.M.’s seizure she had wished he was dead. How should the nurse respond?

Answer 1

Answer: The sign and symptoms in an infant with meningitis includes:

• Fever
• Sleeping disorder
• Crying in a high pitched
• Irritability
• Bulging a soft spot on head.

The infants have high temperature and the older children have symptoms such as neck stiffness.