Topic 3 - CNS Infections

Question 1

All types of CNS infections have similarities to the ___ at onset.

Answer 1

Flu

Question 2

With CNS infections, there is a concern that there can easily be a ____________ of “a bad flu” in a situation that is time sensitive.

Answer 2

Misdiagnosis

Question 3

Signs and symptoms of CNS __________ include:
- Fever
- Fatigue/malaise
- Anorexia
- Digestive upset
- Headache
- Muscle & joint achiness/pain

Answer 3

Infections

Question 4

With CNS infections, it is important to be alert for any presence of ____________ signs, which immediately suggest a more ominous problem that should be immediately looked at medically.

Answer 4

Neurological

Question 5

____________ signs of CNS infections include:
- Photophobia
- Phonophobia
- Altered vision
- Altered speech
- Disorientation
- Motor weakness
- Altered sensation
- Gait change
- Altered consciousness

Answer 5

Neurological

Question 6

T/F - Signs and symptoms, such as seizure or hallucination, may occur with CNS infections.

Answer 6

True

Question 7

In the context of onset of flu-like signs and symptoms, presence of one or more _________ signs can also be an indicator of CNS infections.

Answer 7

Meningeal

Question 8

Meningeal signs indicate meninges ____________.

Answer 8

Inflammation

Question 9

Sudden onset of unexplained severe ____ pain and immobility is an example of a meningeal sign.

Answer 9

Neck

Question 10

A meningeal sign when forward neck flexion creates “explosive” pain in the head that often also shoots down the spine.

Answer 10

Brudzinski’s Sign

Question 11

With Brudzinski’s sign, the person reflexively goes into fetal position with traction on the _____ meninges.

Answer 11

Upper

Question 12

A meningeal sign when hip flexion plus knee extension causes intense pain along the spine that my shoot into the head.

Answer 12

Kernig’s Sign

Question 13

T/F - Kernig’s sign can only appear unilaterally.

Answer 13

False - Kernig’s sign can appear BOTH unilaterally OR BILATERALLY.

Question 14

With Kernig’s sign, the person reflexively goes into fetal position with traction on the _____ meninges.

Answer 14

Lower

Question 15

Skin rash, petechiae and localized sepsis are also possible in __________.

Answer 15

Meningitis

Question 16

The ________ and ___________ types of CNS infections have sudden, acute onsets.

Answer 16

Pyogenic
Lymphocytic

Question 17

The _____________ types of CNS infections have more subtle, gradual onsets.

Answer 17

Granulomatous

Question 18

T/F - Sometimes granulomatous infections can have sudden, acute onsets.

Answer 18

True

Question 19

There is significant incidence of _____________ granulomatous infection in the following vulnerable populations:
- Young children
- Elderly
- Immunocompromised
- Very ill

Answer 19

Opportunistic

Question 20

What kind of infection is candida encephalitis in people terminally ill with cancer or AIDS?

Answer 20

Opportunistic Granulomatous

Question 21

T/F - Routine bacteria are not involved in opportunistic CNS infections.

Answer 21

False - Routine bacteria CAN ALSO BE involved in opportunistic CNS infections.

Question 22

Some organisms, such as _____________, have the capacity to make a healthy adult dangerously ill.

Answer 22

Meningococcus

Question 23

In general, the ___________ types of CNS infections have the best survival and recovery rate.

Answer 23

Lymphocytic

Question 24

For __________, when the disease is diagnosed early and adequate treatment is started, 5-10% of patients die, typically within ___ to ___ hours after the onset of symptoms.

Answer 24

Meningitis
24-48 hours

Question 25

T/F - When meningitis is diagnosed late, or untreated, up to 50% of cases may die.

Answer 25

True

Question 26

For ____________, if diagnosed early and treated the death rate is 3-20%, but when diagnosed late or left untreated it is 50-75%.

Answer 26

Encephalitis

Question 27

_____________ types of CNS infections have the highest fatality rate, in part because they are often occurring in the immunocompromised.

Answer 27

Granulomatous

Question 28

Ongoing impairments following CNS __________ include:
- Altered sensation
- Motor dysfunctions
- Headaches
- Disordered sleep
- Autonomic impairments
- Epilepsy
- Amputations
- Vision/hearing impairments
- Mood disorders
- Personality changes
- Cognitive impairments
- Cerebral palsy

Answer 28

Infections