Spina Bifida (myelodysplasia) - MDC Faculty Home Pages

Assessment of Meningitis
Bacterial meningitis
– Infants and toddlers
Poor feeding/suck, vomiting, high high-pitched pitched cry,
bulging fontanel, fever or hypothermia, poor muscle
tone
– Children and adolescents
Abrupt onset
Fever, chills, headache, nuchal rigidity, vomiting,
changes in LOC, photophobia, extreme irritability
Figure 49 49-6 Opisthotonic position
To test for Kernig sign , raise the child’ s leg with the knee flexed. Then extend the the child’s leg at the knee. If
any resistance is noted or pain is felt , the result is positive Kernig sign. This is a common finding in meningitis.
London / Ladewig / Ball / Bindler
Maternal Maternal-Newborn Newborn and Child Nursing: Family Family-Centered Centered Care
Nursing Diagnoses
Risk for ineffective breathing
Pain
Risk for injury
Risk for ineffective thermoregulation
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