Neurological Infection Basics + Meningitis

Question 1

Neurological infections are classified on what 2 things?

Answer 1

1. Anatomic location (within brain? SC? Meninges?)

2. Microbe (viral or bacterial)

Question 2

What is the function of the meninges?

Answer 2

Primarily to protect the CNS

Question 3

Is it easy for an infection to get into the cranium?

Answer 3

No, it is very difficult.

Question 4

How could a pathogen enter? (4)

Answer 4

1. BBB
2. Fracture of Scalp
3. Extension (direct), contigous infection
4. Along an Axon

Question 5

Explain how a pathogen would enter through the BBB.

Answer 5

If the BBB is compromised, microbe can enter

Question 6

Explain how a pathogen would enter through direct extension. Provide an example.

Answer 6

Through contigous infection.

Ex: infection in middle ear can extend

Question 7

Define contigous infection

Answer 7

Spread of infection along tissue planes or into the local blood or lymphatic system

Question 8

Explain how a pathogen would enter along an axon?

Answer 8

Entrance through a cranial nerve

Question 9

What is Bacterial Meningitis?

1. D/t what?
2. Is it life threatening?

Answer 9

Meningeal inflammation

1. bacterial infection
2. yes, it is life threatening

Question 10

What is the Et of Bacterial Meningitis?

Answer 10

Bacteria within cranium

Question 11

The bacteria that enters the cranium in bacterial meningitis varies across the lifespan (not always but usually).
What is the name for...
1. Adults
2. Youth
3.  Kids

Answer 11

1. Streptococcus pneumonia
2. Neisseria meningitidis
3. Haemophilus influenzae

Question 12

1. The bacteria in bacterial meningitis are specific bacteria which requires the name written to be what?
2. And on a computer to be what?
3. The first word, first letter should be what?
4. and the rest of the letters?

Answer 12

1. Underlined
2. Italicized
3. Capitalized
4. lower case

Question 13

Are researchers aware of what different bacteria affect different age groups?

Answer 13

No

Question 14

What is known about the 3 different microbes is that they often exist as what… close to where…..

Answer 14

Normal flora in the nasopharynx! Close to the cranium! WOW HEY!?

Question 15

Since the normal flora in the nasopharynx are close to the cranium, a problem occurs if the migrate to the cranium. T or F.

Answer 15

T.

Question 16

What are the 4 predisposition to bacterial meningitis?

Answer 16

1. Head trauma
2. Neuro Sx
3. Congruent infection
4. Suppressed immunity

Question 17

The Patho of Bacterial Meningitis involves 2 proccess. What are they?

Answer 17

1. Microbial proliferation and lysis

2. Inflammation

Question 18

The microbial proliferation and lysis means what?

1. Proliferation = ?
2. Lysis = ?

Answer 18

Proliferation = thousands or millions of the microbe
Lysis = cells release content when they die which contains toxins, triggers inflammation

Question 19

1. The inflammation in Bacterial meningitis involves what type of exudate?
2. The exudate moves where?

Answer 19

1. Purulent Exudate

2. Above / below meninges, on brain surface, and in the CSF

Question 20

Is only the meninges affected in Bacterial meningitis?

What else is affected?

Answer 20

no! The exudate moves below and above, as well as on the brain surface and CSF.. therefore…
2. Vasculature, ventricles and subarachnoid space are also impacted

Question 21

What does the subarachnoid space contain?

Answer 21

CSF

Question 22

What are the Mnfts of Bacterial Meningitis? (4)

Answer 22

1. Fever
2. Headache, nausea, vomiting
3. Nuchal Rigidity, Back pain
4. (sort of Dx as well….) Brudzinski’s sign and Kerig’s Response

Question 23

Explain where the nuchal rigidity is?

Answer 23

The nape: back of the neck

Question 24

What are Brudzinski’s sign and Kerig’s Response testing for?

Answer 24

Meningiges irritation

Question 25

Explain a + Brudzinski's sign test:

Answer 25

Try to flex neck, will then have flexion of knees at hip when you try to do it (also involves pain)

Question 26

Explain a + Kerig's Response test:

Answer 26

Trying to extend knee when flexed at hip (resistance and pain felt as well)

Question 27

What is used in the Dx of Bacterial Meningitis? (3)

Answer 27

1. Hx & Px 2. C & S (of the microbe) 3. Analyze CSF

Question 28

What is analyzing the CSF looking for? 1. Increase of what? 2. Decrease of what? WHY?

Answer 28

1. Increase of proteins, neutrophils and pus | 2. Glucose (bacteria are utilizing the glucose those lil bastards)

Question 29

What is the Tx for Bacterial Meningitis? (2)

Answer 29

1. Abx | 2. Steroids

Question 30

Why are steroids used for the inflammation rather than NSAIDS?

Answer 30

Because this is a serious condition, therefore a strong medication is needed.

Question 31

1. Define Viral Meningitis | 2. Is it considered to be aseptic meningitis?

Answer 31

1. Inflammation of the meninges d/t viral infection | 2. Yes it is considered to be aseptic meningitis

Question 32

Which form of meningitis is more severe: Viral or Bacterial?

Answer 32

Bacterial is more severe

Question 33

Does viral meningitis typically require anti viral medications? Why or why not? What does this mean you do to treat?

Answer 33

No, d/t the fact viral meningitis is self limiting. Means you monitor for complications

Question 34

How long does it usually take for the body to overcome viral meningitis?

Answer 34

~ 2 weeks

Question 35

What is the most common virus that causes viral meningitis?

Answer 35

Mumps virus

Question 36

What type of exudate is there in: 1. Bacterial Meningitis 2. Viral Meningitis 3. What does this mean?

Answer 36

1. Purulent exudate 2. Serous exudate 3. The purulent exudate has pus that is also taking up more space

Question 37

What is severe complication that occur from viral meningitis?

Answer 37

Increased intercranial pressure which is life threatening

Question 38

When looking at the CSF in a patient with viral meningitis, what would you expect to see: 1. Increase of what leukocyte? 2. Moderate increase of what? (why only moderate increase?) 3. What will happen to glucose? why?

Answer 38

1. lymphocyte 2. moderate increase of protein (less severe infection, therefore less proteins, mostly in this case antibodies) 3. Glucose will stay the same (in bacterial meningitis the microbe utilizes the glucose, where as in viral meningitis the virus does not utilize the glucose)

Question 39

What does Tx for Viral Meningitis include? (3)

Answer 39

1. Symptomatic management 2. Antiviral drug for very extreme cases 3. Monitor for complications