MENINGITIS Flashcards
Is an inflammation of the fluid and membranes (meninges) surrounding brain and spinal cord.
Meningitis
The inflammatory response to infection in meningitis causes
Increased ICP
3 Meninges of the brain and spinal cord
Dura, arachnoid, pia
Normal CSF pressure
0-15 mmHg
Normal CSF glucose
50-80 mg/dl (Decreased during increased ICP)
Normal CSF protein
20-50 mg/dl (Increased during increased ICP)
Normal specific gravity
1.007
Causative organisms of Meningitis
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Haemophilus influenzae
Neisseria meningitidis
Classification of meningitis
Bacterial
Mode of transmission of meningitis
- Droplet
- Direct contact
Incubation period of meningitis
2-10 days
Average incubation period of meningitis
6-7 days
Diagnostic test
Lumbar tap
definitive diagnosis of meningitis: to collect cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
- Lumbar tap
- spinal tap
- lumbar puncture
- Thecal puncture
- Rachiocentesis
Position during lumbar tap
- Knee-chest
- fetal pos.
- side-lying pos
- sitting or leaning forward
Number of test tubes and ml for lumbar tap
3 test tubes; 2-3 ml
Position after lumbar tap
Flat on bed for 6-8 hours
Test for spinal blockage or subarachnoid obstruction of the subarachnoid space, done before lumbar tap
Queckenstedt’s test
also known as lumbar manometric test performed
by compressing the jugular veins for 10 seconds on each side of the neck during the lumbar puncture