A 69-year-old patient is brought to the ED by ambulance because a family member found him lying on the floor disoriented and lethargic. The physician suspects bacterial meningitis and admits the patient to the ICU. The nurse knows that risk factors for an unfavorable outcome include what? Select all that apply.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Risks for an unfavorable outcome of meningitis include older age, a heart rate greater than 120 beats/minute, low Glasgow Coma Scale score, cranial nerve palsies, and a positive Gram stain 1 hour after presentation to the hospital. A BP greater than $140 / 90 \mathrm{~mm} \mathrm{Hg}$ is indicative of hypertension, but is not necessarily related to poor outcomes related to meningitis. Immunizations are not normally relevant to the course of the disease.

A 69-Year-Old Patient Is Brought to the ED by Ambulance 140/90 mmHg140 / 90 \mathrm{~mm} \mathrm{Hg}140/90 mmHg

A 69-Year-Old Patient Is Brought to the ED by Ambulance $140 / 90 \mathrm{~mm} \mathrm{Hg}$