an inflammation (swelling) of the protective membranes covering the
brain and spinal cord
meningitis
there are ___ types of meningitis, but the focus of this ILE is ___
5, bacterial
___ meningitis can be deadly and requires immediate medical attention
bacterial
inflammation of the meninges can lead to brain ___, so it is imperative
that inflammation be reduced usually with steroids and along with
anti-microbial tx
infarction
3 most common organisms of acute meningitis in the US
strep pneumoniae, neisseria meningitidis, strep agalctiae (group B strep)
3 "other" organisms that cause acute meningitis other than strep
pneumoniae, neisseria meningitidis, and strep agalctiae (group B strep)
listeria, enteric bacilli, haemophilus influenzae
pregnancy has an increased risk of ___ causing meningitis
listeria
there is an increase risk of passing ___ meningitis to babies during
delivery
group B strep
, the very ___ and very ___ are at an increased risk of contracting
meningitis
young, old
the s&s of meningitis are somewhat non-specific and include what 8
things?
fever/vomiting, severe headache, stiff neck, dislike of bright lights,
seizures, rash ("petechiae"), very sleepy/vacant/difficult to wake,
confused/delirious
what are the three main techniques of diagnosing meningitis
blood cultures, imaging, spinal tap
a ___ is the only definitive way to diagnose meningitis
spinal tap
a spinal tap is done to analyze a pt's ___
CSF
if the bacteria is purple on the blood culture, it may indicate ___ or
another gram ___ organism
strep, positive
if the bacteria is pink on the blood culture, it may indicate ___ or another
gram ___ organism
neisseria, negative
in the body's response to infection by bacterial meningitis, a cytokine
storm causes vasodilation and vascular permeability which recruits ___
and destructs the ___