MENINGITIS CORRECT ANSWER
A nurse obtains a focused health history for a client who is suspected of having bacterial
meningitis. Which question should the nurse ask?
a. Do you live in a crowded residence?
b. When was your last tetanus vaccination?
c. Have you had any viral infections recently?
d. Have you traveled out of the country in the last month? - CORRECT ANSWER -A ~
Meningococcal meningitis tends to occur in multiple outbreaks. It is most likely to occur in
areas of high-density population, such as college dormitories, prisons, and military barracks.
A tetanus vaccination would not place the client at increased risk for meningitis or protect
the client from meningitis. A viral infection would not lead to bacterial meningitis but could
lead to viral meningitis. Simply knowing if the client traveled out of the country does not
provide enough information. The nurse should ask about travel to specific countries in which
the disease is common, for example, sub-Saharan Africa.
A nurse evaluates the results of diagnostic tests on a clients cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Which
fluid results alerts the nurse to possible viral meningitis? (SATA)
a. Clear
b. Cloudy
c. Increased protein level
d. Normal glucose level
e. Bacterial organisms present
f. Increased white blood cells - CORRECT ANSWER -A, C, D ~ In viral meningitis, CSF fluid is
clear, protein levels are slightly increased, and glucose levels are normal. Viral meningitis
does not cause cloudiness or increased turbidity of CSF. In bacterial meningitis, the presence
of bacteria and white blood cells causes the fluid to be cloudy.
A nurse prepares to provide perineal care to a client with meningococcal meningitis. Which
personal protective equipment should the nurse wear? (SATA)
a. Particulate respirator
b. Isolation gown
