Meningococcal Meningitis and Septicaemia Flashcards
What is the first step in the management algorithm for patients with suspected Meningococcal disease?
Determine if a non-blanching rash is present?
What is the term non-blanching rash interchangeable with?
Haemorrhagic rash
Petechial rash
Purpuric rash
How do you determine if a rash is non-blanching?
Unlike other rashes, they do not fade under pressure
Hold a glass against the skin and press down
When do non-blanching rashes occur?
Non-blanching rashes occur due to bleeding under the skin
If a non-blanching rash is present upon inspection, what would you suspect?
Meningococcal septicaemia
Meningococcal meningitis with non-blanching rash
What is the next step after determining suspicion of either Meningococcal septicaemia or Meningococcal meningitis with non-blanching rash?
Establish IV/IO access
Administer benzylpenicillin, unless there is a history of anaphylaxis
What is important to remember when obtaining IV/IO access prior to administrating benzylpenicillin?
DO NOT allow it to delay urgent transfer to hospital
You determine a patient does not have a non-blanching rash, what may you still suspect?
Bacterial meningitis
After determining a suspicion of bacterial meningitis (without non-blanching rash), what should you do?
Transfer to further care
Undertake a TIME CRITICAL transfer
Continue patient management en-route
Provide an alert/information call
If you suspect bacterial meningitis and an urgent transfer is not possible, what should you do?
Administer antibiotics, even in the presence of a non-blanching rash
After administering antibiotics to a patient with suspected Meningococcal septicaemia or Meningococcal meningitis with non-blanching rash, what should you do next?
Transfer to further care
Undertake a TIME CRITICAL transfer
Continue patient management en-route
Provide an alert/information call
