Meningitis

Question 1

What are the organs of the CNS covered in ?

Answer 1

The three connective tissue layers collectively called the meninges

Question 2

Name the three connective tissue layers of the meninges

Answer 2

OUTER LAYER : dura matter

2) MIDDLE LAYER : arachnoid
3) INNER LAYER ( closest to the spine and brain) : PIA matter

Question 3

What are the most common microorganisms causes of meningitis?

Answer 3

1) neisseria meningitidis

2) streptococcus pneumonia

Question 4

What is meningitis’s?

Answer 4

Inflammation of the meninges

Question 5

What are the symptoms of meningitis?

Answer 5

Headache 
Neck stiffness ( most common ) 

Non blanching rash

Photophobia

Vomiting sometimes

Question 6

Where is the CSF located ?

Answer 6

Fluid that flows within the subarachnoid space which is between the arachnoid membrane and pKa matter.

Question 7

What is normal composition of CSF ?

Answer 7

Appears clear

0-5 lymphocytes per mm^3

12-69 mg/dL protein

40-60 mg/dL of glucose - around 50% of blood glucose.

Question 8

What investigative technique would you use to investigate acute meningitis?

Answer 8

Lumbar puncture

Question 9

How to perform a lumbar puncture ?

Answer 9

• analysis of the CSF
• patient must be flexing their spine.
• a needle can therefore be passed between the spinal processes of two adjacent lower lumbar vertebrae to enter the spinal canal by puncturing the dura ( outer meninges) because the spinal cord ends at the level of the first lumbar vertebrae.
• often done between L3/L4.