Author Question: The nurse is planning care for a child with bacterial meningitis. The priority nursing diagnosis is: ... (Read 121 times)

skymedlock · **on:** Jun 28, 2018

The nurse is planning care for a child with bacterial meningitis. The priority nursing diagnosis is:

1. Acute pain.
2. injury, Risk for.
3. infection, Risk for.
4. Impaired Gas Exchange.

Question 2

A young child admitted to the Pediatric unit has fever, irritability, and vomiting. The physician suspects bacterial meningitis. The nurse would expect the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to show:

1. Protein count of 50 mg/dL.
2. Increased glucose level.
3. Decreased glucose level.
4. Negative Gram stain.

kkenney · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 28, 2018

Answer to Question 1

4
Rationale:
1. Management of pain is important, though not the priority.
2. Risk for injury is not the priority.
3. Risk for infection is not the priority.
4. Impaired gas exchange would be the priority to ensure patent airway and adequate gas exchange.

Answer to Question 2

3
Rationale:
1. Bacterial meningitis causes CSF protein levels to be above 80 mg/dL.
2. Glucose levels are low in CSF when a child has bacterial meningitis
3. Glucose levels are low in CSF when a child has bacterial meningitis.
4. The Gram stain would be positive in bacterial meningitis.