Neurological Disorders Q 8

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A client, age 22, is admitted with bacterial meningitis. Which hospital room would be the best choice for this client?

  

     A. A private room down the hall from the nurses’ station.

     B. An isolation room three doors from the nurses’ station.

     C. A semi-private room with a 32-year-old client who has viral meningitis.

     D. A two-bedroom with a client who previously had bacterial meningitis.

    

    

Correct Answer: B. An isolation room three doors from the nurses’ station

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A client with bacterial meningitis should be kept in isolation for at least 24 hours after admission. Patients suspected of having meningococcal meningitis should be placed in droplet precautions until they have received 24 hours of antibiotics. Close contacts should also be treated prophylactically. Ciprofloxacin, rifampin, or ceftriaxone may be used. Close contacts are defined as people within 3 feet of the patient for more than 8 hours during the seven days before and 24 hours after receiving antibiotics. People exposed to the patient’s oral secretions during this time should also be treated.

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Option A: During the initial acute phase, should be as close to the nurses’ station as possible to allow maximal observation. The mortality for bacterial meningitis varies from 10-15%. Survival depends on early recognition of acute bacterial meningitis, followed by administration of appropriate antibiotic therapy. Delay in treatment can result in increased intracranial pressure causing decreased cerebral perfusion and may rapidly lead to loss of consciousness and death.

Option C: Placing the client in a room with a client who has viral meningitis may cause harm to both clients because the organisms causing viral and bacterial meningitis differ; either client may contract the other’s disease. These patients need inpatient treatment until all symptoms have disappeared, therefore the nursing staff will be responsible for administration as well as monitoring for therapeutic effectiveness and adverse drug events, reporting any concerns to the team.

Option D: Immunity to Bacterial meningitis can’t be acquired; therefore, a client who previously had bacterial meningitis shouldn’t be put at risk by rooming with a client who has just been diagnosed with this disease. Vaccines are available to help prevent bacterial meningitis. Children can get a meningitis vaccine around ages 11 to 12, followed by a booster vaccine at age 16. Bacterial meningitis is more common in infants under 1 year of age and young people ages 16 to 21.

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