Basics of Meningitis
This is the protective membrane that becomes inflamed in meningitis.
What are the meninges
The classic triad of meningitis symptoms.
What are fever, headache, and neck stiffness?
The gold standard test to diagnose meningitis.
What is a lumbar puncture (CSF analysis)?
First-line antibiotic therapy for suspected bacterial meningitis in adults.
A) Amoxicillin and azithromycin
B) Ceftriaxone and vancomycin
C) Penicillin and doxycycline
D) Metronidazole and ciprofloxacin
B) Ceftriaxone and vancomycin
Long-term complication of meningitis affecting hearing.
What is sensorineural hearing loss?
The two main types of meningitis based on causative agents.
What are viral and bacterial meningitis?
A positive sign when the patient’s neck is flexed, and the hips and knees also flex.
What is Brudzinski’s sign?
Elevated levels of this in CSF indicate bacterial rather than viral meningitis.
What is protein?
This steroid is often given to reduce inflammation in bacterial meningitis.
A) Prednisone
B) Dexamethasone
C) Hydrocortisone
D) Methylprednisolone
B) Dexamethasone
This severe complication is characterized by disseminated intravascular coagulation and multi-organ failure.
This severe complication is characterized by disseminated intravascular coagulation and multi-organ failure.
This age group is at the highest risk for bacterial meningitis.
What are infants and young children?
This rash, which doesn’t blanch under pressure, is often associated with meningococcal meningitis.
What is a petechial rash?
A high white blood cell count with a predominance of this type indicates bacterial meningitis.
What are neutrophils?
Immediate isolation precautions needed for suspected meningococcal meningitis.
A) Airborne precautions
B) Contact precautions
C) Droplet precautions
D) Standard precautions
C) Droplet precautions
Chronic neurologic condition characterized by fluid accumulation in the brain.
What is hydrocephalus?
The most common bacterial pathogen causing meningitis in neonates.
What is Group B Streptococcus?
Infants with meningitis often present with this specific sign instead of a stiff neck.
What is bulging fontanelle?
A CSF finding more typical of viral meningitis rather than bacterial.
What is elevated lymphocytes and normal glucose?
This vaccine is recommended to prevent a common cause of bacterial meningitis in adolescents.
A) Influenza vaccine
B) Meningococcal vaccine
C) Hepatitis B vaccine
D) Varicella vaccine
B) Meningococcal vaccine
Neurological deficit caused by cranial nerve involvement from inflammation.
What is cranial nerve palsy?
This is the most common cause of viral meningitis.
What are enteroviruses?
This symptom, characterized by photophobia and altered mental status, is more common in viral meningitis.
What is encephalopathy?
Imaging test often done before lumbar puncture to rule out increased intracranial pressure.
What is a CT scan of the head?
In neonates, this antibiotic is added to cover Listeria monocytogenes.
A) Ampicillin
B) Cefotaxime
C) Gentamicin
D) Ciprofloxacin
A) Ampicillin
Prognosis is generally worse for this type of meningitis.
What is bacterial meningitis?