Ms. J, a 19-year-old college student, has been living in a dormitory on campus. She began experiencing severe headaches, neck pain, and nuchal rigidity, along with irritability and nausea. She noticed that when lying with her hips flexed, she found it very hard to stretch out her legs. Within a day her condition deteriorated, she experienced a tonic-clonic seizure, and she was quickly admitted to the hospital. Tests revealed increased intracranial pressure, fever, and leukocytosis. Bacterial meningitis was suspected, and a lumbar puncture was scheduled.
Questions
. Describe the pathophysiologic changes associated with bacterial meningitis.
. Discuss the diagnostic tests available for identifying meningitis. What are the likely
characteristics of the CSF to be found in this case?
. Which signs indicating elevated intracranial pressure are likely to be present?
. Discuss the treatments available to help this patient and possible long-term
complications.
Ms. J, a 19-year-old college student, has been living in a dormitory on campus. She began experiencing severe headaches, neck pain, and nuchal rigidity, along with irritability and nausea. She noticed that when lying with her hips flexed, she found it very hard to stretch out her legs. Within a day her condition deteriorated, she experienced a tonic-clonic seizure, and she was quickly admitted to the hospital. Tests revealed increased intracranial pressure, fever, and leukocytosis. Bacterial meningitis was suspected, and a lumbar puncture was scheduled.
Questions
. Describe the pathophysiologic changes associated with bacterial meningitis.
. Discuss the diagnostic tests available for identifying meningitis. What are the likely
characteristics of the CSF to be found in this case?
. Which signs indicating elevated intracranial pressure are likely to be present?
. Discuss the treatments available to help this patient and possible long-term
complications.
Ms. J, a 19-year-old college student, has been living in a dormitory on campus. She began experiencing severe headaches, neck pain, and nuchal rigidity, along with irritability and nausea. She noticed that when lying with her hips flexed, she found it very hard to stretch out her legs. Within a day her condition deteriorated, she experienced a tonic-clonic seizure, and she was quickly admitted to the hospital. Tests revealed increased intracranial pressure, fever, and leukocytosis. Bacterial meningitis was suspected, and a lumbar puncture was scheduled.
Questions
. Describe the pathophysiologic changes associated with bacterial meningitis.
. Discuss the diagnostic tests available for identifying meningitis. What are the likely
characteristics of the CSF to be found in this case?
. Which signs indicating elevated intracranial pressure are likely to be present?
. Discuss the treatments available to help this patient and possible long-term
complications.