Question

Outline a Care Plan for a child with bacterial meningitis.

Answer 1

Bacterial meningitis:

The most likely organism causing this meningitis is gram negative bacteria. Meningococcal bacteria causing sepsis gives similar kind of stain. It can causes inflammation of the meninges membranes surrounding spinal cord and the brain. In bacterial meningitis,the bacteria enter the bloodstream and then travel to the meninges. It may also happen that the bacteria directly enters the meninges through sinus or ear infections. Acute bacterial meningitis must be treated at once with intravenous antibiotics or corticosteroids. A simple glass test distinguishes beween septicaemia and meningitis.

Bacterial meningitis Care Plan:

Require respiratory isolation for at least 24 hours after antibiotic therapy initiated since it is occurring in epidemic form and transmitted by droplets from nasopharyngeal secretions.

Considering administration antibiotics consult of administration of this after Lumbar puncture/CSF analysis.

Neurological assessment to look for seizure as the complication of cerebral oedema and hyponatremia.

Control body temperature.

Watch for fall in level of consciousness.

Administer pneumococcal conjugate vaccine at the age of 2 months.

Prophylactic treatment for close contact of the child.