Medical-Surgical Nursing

50 year-old male was diagnosed with subdural underwent burr hole craniotomy for subdural hernatoma days ago.

In order to detect the sign of meningitis as one of which of the following indicates the patient has meningitis ?

  1. A Negative Kernig's signs
  2. B Positive Brudzinski's sign Correct answer
  3. C Absence of nuchal rigidity
  4. D Glasgow comma scale of 14 points

Explanation

Core Concept: Clinical signs of meningeal irritation (meningitis) following neurosurgical procedures.

Clinical Presentation: Fever, severe headache, nuchal rigidity (stiff neck), photophobia, and altered mental status.

Diagnosis: Lumbar puncture (CSF analysis showing elevated WBCs, low glucose, high protein) is the gold standard. Blood cultures and head CT (to rule out increased ICP before LP) are also standard steps.

Management: Acute management includes immediate empiric IV antibiotics and corticosteroids (e.g., dexamethasone). A Positive Brudzinski's sign (severe neck stiffness causing a patient's hips and knees to involuntarily flex when the neck is flexed) and Kernig's sign are classic physical examination indicators of meningeal irritation.

40 free questions with an account

The questions published here are a fixed sample. Create a free account to practise on the full bank, with performance analytics by specialty and a page for reviewing your mistakes.

Create a free account

No payment card