A nurse is taking care of a child with a possible diagnosis of meningitis. The nurse knows to look for which laboratory results to verify the diagnosis?
Decreased pressure and cloudy cerebrospinal fluid with a high protein level.
Clear cerebrospinal fluid with a high protein and low glucose.
Cloudy cerebrospinal fluid with a low protein and low glucose.
Cloudy cerebrospinal fluid with a high protein and low glucose levels.
The Correct Answer is D
A. Decreased pressure and cloudy cerebrospinal fluid with a high protein level. Meningitis usually causes increased intracranial pressure, not decreased.
B. Clear cerebrospinal fluid with a high protein and low glucose. Clear CSF is typically seen in viral meningitis, but bacterial meningitis more often causes cloudy CSF.
C. Cloudy cerebrospinal fluid with a low protein and low glucose. While glucose is low in bacterial meningitis, protein is typically elevated due to the infection.
D. Cloudy cerebrospinal fluid with a high protein and low glucose levels. This finding is consistent with bacterial meningitis, where the CSF is cloudy, protein is elevated due to inflammation, and glucose is low because bacteria consume glucose.
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Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. The child is confused and cannot remember anything regarding the seizure: Postictal confusion is normal after a seizure and does not require emergency services.
B. The child fell at the onset of the seizure: Falls can occur with seizures, but unless there is a suspected injury or prolonged seizure activity, calling 911 is unnecessary.
C. The seizure lasts more than 5 minutes: A seizure lasting more than 5 minutes is considered status epilepticus and is a medical emergency requiring immediate intervention.
D. The child is sleepy and lethargic after the seizure: Postictal sleepiness is a common and expected phase after a generalized seizure.
Correct Answer is ["A","C","E"]
Explanation
A. Febrile episode: Fever is a common trigger for febrile seizures in children, especially between 6 months and 5 years.
B. Low blood lead levels: Elevated, not low, blood lead levels can increase the risk of seizures due to neurotoxicity.
C. Sodium imbalance: Both hyponatremia and hypernatremia can cause seizures by disrupting neuronal function.
D. Presence of diphtheria: Diphtheria does not directly increase the risk of seizures. Neurological complications are rare and secondary.
E. Hypoglycemia: Low blood sugar levels deprive the brain of energy, which can lead to seizures.