A nurse is admitting a child who has bacterial meningitis. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A.
Initiate antibiotic therapy for the child.
B.
Minimize the child’s environmental stimuli.
C.
Place the child in a side-lying position.
D.
Administer pain medication to the child.
The Correct answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is A. Initiate antibiotic therapy for the child.
When a child is admitted with bacterial meningitis, the priority action for the nurse is to initiate antibiotic therapy as quickly as possible. Bacterial meningitis is a serious infection of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, and it can lead to severe complications or even death if not treated promptly. Early administration of appropriate antibiotics is crucial because it helps to reduce the risk of morbidity associated with the disease, including neurological damage and systemic complications.
Once bacterial meningitis is suspected, time is of the essence. The organism responsible for the infection can rapidly proliferate, leading to increased intracranial pressure, seizures, and potential long-term neurological issues. Thus, the nurse should follow institutional protocols to collect necessary samples (such as blood cultures and possibly a lumbar puncture) while simultaneously beginning empirical antibiotic therapy. Common choices for initial treatment include ceftriaxone and vancomycin, which cover a broad spectrum of potential pathogens.
After antibiotics are initiated, other supportive care measures can be addressed. These include minimizing environmental stimuli (B), positioning the child (C), and administering pain medication (D). While these actions are important for the child’s comfort and safety, they are secondary to ensuring that the infection is treated promptly.
In summary, the priority is to treat the underlying infection with antibiotics. Other nursing interventions to support the child’s comfort and safety can follow once the critical first step has been taken, emphasizing the importance of a systematic and timely approach in managing bacterial meningitis.