Question

Case Study

Assessing Neurologic System

A nurse is caring for a 48-year-old man diagnosed with meningitis after a head injury. The client was driving a motorcycle while on vacation and was not wearing a helmet. It had started to rain, and the client’s motorcycle swirled onto a grassy area. He fell off the motorcycle and landed on the ground. The client hit his head and suffered cuts and abrasions to his face, arms, and legs from the fall. He was taken to the emergency department of the local hospital by paramedics. Upon examination, the physician ordered a head CT scan and a brain MRI to determine if any head trauma had occurred. Both exams revealed negative findings, and the client was sent home after a 24-hour stay at the hospital for observation. The client was to return in 1 week for follow-up unless symptoms developed. Three days after the accident, the client began to have severe headaches, nausea and vomiting, blurred vision, and an oral temperature of 103°F. The client returned to the emergency department, and a diagnosis of meningitis was confirmed. The client was admitted and started on IV antibiotics. The next morning, the client asks the nurse “What is going on? I left the hospital 3 days ago and I felt fine.”

Discussion Questions:

1. How should the nurse respond to the client’s question?

2. What further assessment does this patient need?

3. What past health concerns should the nurse focus on?

4. What patient education should the nurse consider for this patient?

5. Who else will the nurse are interacting with (interprofessional communication)?

6. Discuss the QSEN Competencies related to this case study:

o Patient Centered Care

o Teamwork and Collaboration

o Evidence Based Practice

o Quality Improvement

o Patient Safety

o Informatics

Answer 1

Question no 1) The nurse should educate the patient that he is having. Meningitis that is infection in the inner layer of meninges .

It is ok after taking antibiotics you will get relived.It causes increase in intracranial pressure thereby causing Pressure on the cerebral content leading to nausea vomiting etc

Question no 2)

Further assessment

Physical examination should be done

Kerning and brudzinski sign should be assessed

Check for blood test and blood cultures

Antibiotic sensitivity test