A patient being admitted with bacterial meningitis has a ...

[DelorasTo]

A patient being admitted with bacterial meningitis has a temperature of 102.5 F (39.2 C) and a severe headache. Which order for collaborative intervention should the nurse implement first?
 
  a. Administer ceftizoxime (Cefizox) 1 g IV.
  b. Give acetaminophen (Tylenol) 650 mg PO.
  c. Use a cooling blanket to lower tempera-ture.
  d. Swab the nasopharyngeal mucosa for cul-tures.

Question 2

Which finding for a patient who has a head injury should the nurse report immediately to the health care provider?
 
  a. Intracranial pressure is 16 mm Hg when patient is turned.
  b. Pale yellow urine output is 1200 mL over the last 2 hours.
  c. LICOX brain tissue oxygenation catheter shows PbtO2 of 38 mm Hg.
  d. Ventriculostomy drained 40 mL of cere-brospinal fluid in the last 2 hours.

[sierramartinez]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
Antibiotic therapy should be instituted rapidly in bacterial meningitis, but cultures must be done before antibiotics are started. As soon as the cultures are done, the antibiotic should be started. Hypothermia therapy and acetaminophen administration are appropriate but can be started after the other actions are implemented.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
The high urine output indicates that diabetes insipidus may be developing, and interventions to prevent dehydration need to be rapidly implemented. The other data do not indicate a need for any change in therapy.

[DelorasTo]

Excellent

[at]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it