The nurse is planning care for a preschool-age child diagnosed with meningitis. What should the nurse identify as a priority goal for this patient's care?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Meningitis is an infection of the cerebral meninges. Pathologic organisms spread to the meninges. Once organisms enter the meningeal space, they multiply rapidly and then spread throughout the CSF to invade brain tissue through the meningeal folds, which extend down into the brain itself. A child with meningitis usually has an upper respiratory tract infection prior to the development of meningitis. Then the child will become increasingly irritable because of an intense headache with sharp pain when bending the head forward. Reducing the pain caused by neck pain would be the priority goal for this patient's care. Inspecting the teeth, providing opportunities for play, and increasing stimulation would not be priority goals for this patient.

The Nurse Is Planning Care for a Preschool-Age Child Diagnosed