A patient presents to a primary care provider reporting fever, ...

[Coya19@aol.com]

A patient presents to a primary care provider reporting fever, headache, nuchal rigidity, and de-creased consciousness. History includes a previously treated sinusitis. Which medical diagnosis is best supported by this assessment data?
 
  a. Aseptic meningitis
  b. Bacterial meningitis
  c. Fungal meningitis
  d. Nonpurulent meningitis

Question 2

A 48-year-old patient presents at the ER reporting an acute severe headache, nausea, photopho-bia, and nuchal rigidity. Which medical diagnosis is supported by these signs and symptoms?
 
  a. Diffuse brain injury
  b. Subarachnoid hemorrhage
  c. Epidural hematoma
  d. Classic concussion

[Madisongo23]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
Bacterial meningitis can occur secondary to sinusitis and is manifested by fever, tachycardia, chills, and a petechial rash with a severe throbbing headache, severe photophobia, and nuchal ri-gidity. The clinical manifestations of aseptic meningitis are milder than bacterial meningitis and are not associated with a previous infection such as sinusitis. Fungal meningitis presents as de-mentia. Nonpurulent meningitis is the same as aseptic and is milder and not associated with con-ditions such as sinusitis.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
With subarachnoid hemorrhage, meningeal irritation occurs, leading to nuchal rigidity.
Nuchal rigidity is not associated with a diffuse brain injury, an epidural hematoma, or a classic concussion.