NUR 265-265 EXAM 3 | COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE LATEST
2026 UPDATE (GALEN COLLEGE)
265 Exam #3
Math 8.4ml/hr, post-surgery if not urinating call HCP
Neuro
Meningitis-
• Bacteria or Virus enters the CNS via blood
o Penetrating trauma
o Surgical procedures- not being sterile
o Brain abscess
o Basilar skull fracture- at base of the head
o Infection can also cause- eyes, ears, mouth
• Bacteria- cloudy
o Occurs in “outbreak” such as dorm rooms
o Caused by Neisseria meningitides and streptococcus pneumoniae
o High mortality rate
• Virus- clear, no WBC present
o Caused by virus such as Herpes Simplex, Varicella Zoster, mumps, HIV
o Low mortality rate
S/SX
• Fever/chils
• Nuchal rigidity- Bacterial place in droplet precautions
• Photo/phonophobia
• Headache
• N/V
• Rash
• Altered LOC
• Increased ICP
• Muscle aches
• SIRS/DIC/SIADH
• Seizures
TX and DX
• Lumbar puncture or CSF and C&S
o Virus- no organism found
o Bacteria- WBC
• Culture everything:
o Blood/sputum/throat/urine cultures
• Broad spectrums abx for bacteria
o Do not delay treatment waiting on results
,• Anti-viral for virus infections
, Encephalitis
• Typically, a virus
• Bacteria, fungus, parasites
• Inflammatory response
• Denegation of neurons
• Demyelination of axons
• Hemorrhage
• Edema
• Cell death of necrosis
• Death
S/SX
• Fever
• Nuchal rigidity
• Photo/phonophobia
• Headache
• N/V
• Rash
• Altered LOC
• increased ICP
• Fatigue
• Joint pain
• Vertigo/ataxia
• Tremors/spasms
TX and DX
• Antiviral acyclovir
• Prevention of mosquito bites
o Limits outside time between dusk and dawn
o Wear protective clothing
o DEET- repellant
o Remove standing water
• Lumbar puncture and DX- will be clear
• EEG- checking brain waves to see if cells have started dying off
• CT scan- see if any edema in brain
Nursing considerations for Meningitis/Encephalitis
• Maintain ABC’s
• Reduce stimuli
• Treat the symptoms
• Monitor
o Vitals and neuro q2-4hr and PRN
o Increased ICP
o LOC
o CSF from nose/ears
2026 UPDATE (GALEN COLLEGE)
265 Exam #3
Math 8.4ml/hr, post-surgery if not urinating call HCP
Neuro
Meningitis-
• Bacteria or Virus enters the CNS via blood
o Penetrating trauma
o Surgical procedures- not being sterile
o Brain abscess
o Basilar skull fracture- at base of the head
o Infection can also cause- eyes, ears, mouth
• Bacteria- cloudy
o Occurs in “outbreak” such as dorm rooms
o Caused by Neisseria meningitides and streptococcus pneumoniae
o High mortality rate
• Virus- clear, no WBC present
o Caused by virus such as Herpes Simplex, Varicella Zoster, mumps, HIV
o Low mortality rate
S/SX
• Fever/chils
• Nuchal rigidity- Bacterial place in droplet precautions
• Photo/phonophobia
• Headache
• N/V
• Rash
• Altered LOC
• Increased ICP
• Muscle aches
• SIRS/DIC/SIADH
• Seizures
TX and DX
• Lumbar puncture or CSF and C&S
o Virus- no organism found
o Bacteria- WBC
• Culture everything:
o Blood/sputum/throat/urine cultures
• Broad spectrums abx for bacteria
o Do not delay treatment waiting on results
,• Anti-viral for virus infections
, Encephalitis
• Typically, a virus
• Bacteria, fungus, parasites
• Inflammatory response
• Denegation of neurons
• Demyelination of axons
• Hemorrhage
• Edema
• Cell death of necrosis
• Death
S/SX
• Fever
• Nuchal rigidity
• Photo/phonophobia
• Headache
• N/V
• Rash
• Altered LOC
• increased ICP
• Fatigue
• Joint pain
• Vertigo/ataxia
• Tremors/spasms
TX and DX
• Antiviral acyclovir
• Prevention of mosquito bites
o Limits outside time between dusk and dawn
o Wear protective clothing
o DEET- repellant
o Remove standing water
• Lumbar puncture and DX- will be clear
• EEG- checking brain waves to see if cells have started dying off
• CT scan- see if any edema in brain
Nursing considerations for Meningitis/Encephalitis
• Maintain ABC’s
• Reduce stimuli
• Treat the symptoms
• Monitor
o Vitals and neuro q2-4hr and PRN
o Increased ICP
o LOC
o CSF from nose/ears
