MENINGITIS NCLEX 2026
ACCURATE ACTUAL EXAM
WITH FREQUENTLY TESTED
QUESTIONS AND STUDY
GUIDE\EXPERT VERIFIED
FOR GUARANTEED
PASS\ALREADY GRADED A+
A patient admitted with bacterial meningitis and a temperature of 102° F (38.8° C) has orders for all of
these collaborative interventions. Which action should the nurse take first?
a. Administer ceftizoxime (Cefizox) 1 g IV.
b. Use a cooling blanket to lower temperature.
c. Swap the nasopharyngeal mucosa for cultures.
d. Give acetaminophen (Tylenol) 650 mg PO.
ANS: C
Antibiotic therapy should be instituted rapidly in bacterial meningitis, but cultures must be done before
antibiotics are started. As soon as the cultures are done, the antibiotic should be started. Hypothermia
therapy and acetaminophen administration are appropriate but can be started after the other actions
are implemented.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: 1440-1441
Classic symptoms of bacterial meningitis include
a. papilledema and psychomotor seizures
b. high fever, nuchal rigidity, and severe headache
c. behavioral changes with memory loss and lethargy
d. positive Kernig's and Brudzinski's signs and hemiparesis
B. High fever, severe headache, nuchal rigidity, and positive Brudzinski's and Kernig's signs are such
classic symptoms of meningitis that they are usually considered diagnostic for meningitis. Other
symptoms, such as papilledema, generalized seizures, hemiparesis, and decreased LOC, may occur as
complications of increased ICP and cranial nerve dysfunction.
, The nurse on the clinical unit is assigned to four patients. Which patient should she assess first?
a. patient with a skull fracture whose nose is bleeding
b. elderly patient with a stroke who is confused and whose daughter is present
c. patient with meningitis who is suddenly agitated and reporting a HA of 10 on a 0 to 10 scale
d. patient who had a craniotomy for a brain tumor who is now 3 days postoperative and has had
continued emesis
C. patient with meningitis who is suddenly agitated and reporting a HA of 10 on a 0 to 10 scale
A 42-year-old patient who has bacterial meningitis is disoriented and anxious. Which nursing action
will be included in the plan of care?
a. Encourage family members to remain at the bedside.
b. Apply soft restraints to protect the patient from injury.
c. Keep the room well-lighted to improve patient orientation.
d. Minimize contact with the patient to decrease sensory input.
ANS: A
Patients with meningitis and disorientation will be calmed by the presence of someone familiar at the
bedside. Restraints should be avoided because they increase agitation and anxiety. The patient requires
frequent assessment for complications. The use of touch and a soothing voice will decrease anxiety for
most patients. The patient will have photophobia, so the light should be dim
A patient has been admitted with meningococcal meningitis. Which observation by the nurse requires
action?
a. The bedrails at the head and foot of the bed are both elevated.
b. The patient receives a regular diet from the dietary department.
c. The lights in the patient's room are turned off and the blinds are shut.
d. Unlicensed assistive personnel enter the patient's room without a mask.
ANS: D
Meningococcal meningitis is spread by respiratory secretions, so it is important to maintain respiratory
isolation as well as standard precautions. Because the patient may be confused and weak, bedrails
should be elevated at both the foot and head of the bed. Low light levels in the room decrease pain
caused by photophobia. Nutrition is an important aspect of care in a patient with meningitis
When assessing a 53-year-old patient with bacterial meningitis, the nurse obtains the following data.
Which finding should be reported immediately to the health care provider?
a. The patient exhibits nuchal rigidity.
b. The patient has a positive Kernig's sign.
c. The patient's temperature is 101° F (38.3° C).
d. The patient's blood pressure is 88/42 mm Hg.
ANS: D
Shock is a serious complication of meningitis, and the patient's low blood pressure indicates the need
ACCURATE ACTUAL EXAM
WITH FREQUENTLY TESTED
QUESTIONS AND STUDY
GUIDE\EXPERT VERIFIED
FOR GUARANTEED
PASS\ALREADY GRADED A+
A patient admitted with bacterial meningitis and a temperature of 102° F (38.8° C) has orders for all of
these collaborative interventions. Which action should the nurse take first?
a. Administer ceftizoxime (Cefizox) 1 g IV.
b. Use a cooling blanket to lower temperature.
c. Swap the nasopharyngeal mucosa for cultures.
d. Give acetaminophen (Tylenol) 650 mg PO.
ANS: C
Antibiotic therapy should be instituted rapidly in bacterial meningitis, but cultures must be done before
antibiotics are started. As soon as the cultures are done, the antibiotic should be started. Hypothermia
therapy and acetaminophen administration are appropriate but can be started after the other actions
are implemented.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: 1440-1441
Classic symptoms of bacterial meningitis include
a. papilledema and psychomotor seizures
b. high fever, nuchal rigidity, and severe headache
c. behavioral changes with memory loss and lethargy
d. positive Kernig's and Brudzinski's signs and hemiparesis
B. High fever, severe headache, nuchal rigidity, and positive Brudzinski's and Kernig's signs are such
classic symptoms of meningitis that they are usually considered diagnostic for meningitis. Other
symptoms, such as papilledema, generalized seizures, hemiparesis, and decreased LOC, may occur as
complications of increased ICP and cranial nerve dysfunction.
, The nurse on the clinical unit is assigned to four patients. Which patient should she assess first?
a. patient with a skull fracture whose nose is bleeding
b. elderly patient with a stroke who is confused and whose daughter is present
c. patient with meningitis who is suddenly agitated and reporting a HA of 10 on a 0 to 10 scale
d. patient who had a craniotomy for a brain tumor who is now 3 days postoperative and has had
continued emesis
C. patient with meningitis who is suddenly agitated and reporting a HA of 10 on a 0 to 10 scale
A 42-year-old patient who has bacterial meningitis is disoriented and anxious. Which nursing action
will be included in the plan of care?
a. Encourage family members to remain at the bedside.
b. Apply soft restraints to protect the patient from injury.
c. Keep the room well-lighted to improve patient orientation.
d. Minimize contact with the patient to decrease sensory input.
ANS: A
Patients with meningitis and disorientation will be calmed by the presence of someone familiar at the
bedside. Restraints should be avoided because they increase agitation and anxiety. The patient requires
frequent assessment for complications. The use of touch and a soothing voice will decrease anxiety for
most patients. The patient will have photophobia, so the light should be dim
A patient has been admitted with meningococcal meningitis. Which observation by the nurse requires
action?
a. The bedrails at the head and foot of the bed are both elevated.
b. The patient receives a regular diet from the dietary department.
c. The lights in the patient's room are turned off and the blinds are shut.
d. Unlicensed assistive personnel enter the patient's room without a mask.
ANS: D
Meningococcal meningitis is spread by respiratory secretions, so it is important to maintain respiratory
isolation as well as standard precautions. Because the patient may be confused and weak, bedrails
should be elevated at both the foot and head of the bed. Low light levels in the room decrease pain
caused by photophobia. Nutrition is an important aspect of care in a patient with meningitis
When assessing a 53-year-old patient with bacterial meningitis, the nurse obtains the following data.
Which finding should be reported immediately to the health care provider?
a. The patient exhibits nuchal rigidity.
b. The patient has a positive Kernig's sign.
c. The patient's temperature is 101° F (38.3° C).
d. The patient's blood pressure is 88/42 mm Hg.
ANS: D
Shock is a serious complication of meningitis, and the patient's low blood pressure indicates the need
