MENINGITIS - QUIZ QUESTIONS

Dear nurses,

Would you like to quiz yourself on this topic?

Meningitis is the inflammation of the meningeal coverings of the brain.
Meningitis may be cause by a virus, bacteria, fungi, tumors or chemical
irritants. 

The meningeal coverings are three protective coverings around the brain.
From inside out:

The pia mater is the inner most layer and is in direct contact with the brain.
It has many tiny blood vessels and also connective tissue.
The arachnoid mater is the middle layer and does not contain blood vessels.
The dura mater is the tough outermost layer.

Signs and symptoms:
There are some very classic signs and symptoms of meningitis.
They include:
- severe headache, nuchal rigidity
- fever
- photophobia
- difficulty extending the leg at the knee
* There is a risk of seizures.

Treatment will be directed at the cause.Depending on the 
cause of meningitis, antiviral or antibacterial medications 
may be ordered. IV fluids and oxygen may also be necessary.


Quiz questions
1) What is Meningitis?
2) What causes meningitis?
3)What are the meningeal coverings?
4) Name some signs and symptoms of meningitis?
5) How is meningitis treated?

Brudzinski's and Kernig's signs

Brudzinski's and Kernig's signs, what do they mean?
These two signs are significant for the patient with meningitis. 

Brudzinski's sign - when the examiner flexes the patient's neck
the knees and hips flex at the same time.

Kernig's signs - inability to straighten the leg when the hip is 
flexed at a 90 degree angle. The hamstring muscles become very 
stiff.

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