The nurse is assessing a patient with suspected bacterial meningitis and notes a positive Kernig sign. How should the nurse interpret this finding?
Pain in the neck when the patient flexes their head towards the chest
Involuntary flexion of the hips and knees when the neck is flexed
Photophobia and headache triggered by bright light
Pain and resistance when attempting to extend the patient's leg from a flexed position
The Correct Answer is D
A. Pain in the neck when the patient flexes their head towards the chest. This describes nuchal rigidity, not Kernig sign.
B. Involuntary flexion of the hips and knees when the neck is flexed. This describes Brudzinski sign, not Kernig sign.
C. Photophobia and headache triggered by bright light. These are symptoms of meningitis, but they are not specific to Kernig sign.
D. Pain and resistance when attempting to extend the patient's leg from a flexed position. A positive Kernig sign is when there is pain and resistance to leg extension from a flexed hip and knee position, indicating meningeal irritation.
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Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Pain in the neck when the patient flexes their head towards the chest. This describes nuchal rigidity, not Kernig sign.
B. Involuntary flexion of the hips and knees when the neck is flexed. This describes Brudzinski sign, not Kernig sign.
C. Photophobia and headache triggered by bright light. These are symptoms of meningitis, but they are not specific to Kernig sign.
D. Pain and resistance when attempting to extend the patient's leg from a flexed position. A positive Kernig sign is when there is pain and resistance to leg extension from a flexed hip and knee position, indicating meningeal irritation.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Pulmonary Function Test (PFT). PFTs assess lung function but do not provide diagnostic information for infections like pneumonia.
B. Electrocardiogram (ECG). An ECG assesses heart function and would not help in diagnosing a respiratory infection like pneumonia.
C. Complete Blood Count (CBC). A CBC may indicate infection through elevated white blood cells, but it does not confirm pneumonia or identify its location in the lungs.
D. Chest X-ray. A chest X-ray is the most useful diagnostic tool to confirm pneumonia. It can reveal infiltrates or consolidation in the lungs, which are characteristic of pneumonia.