Anda di halaman 1dari 6

Running Head: NURISNG INTERVENTIONS FOR BACTERIAL MENINGITIS

Nursing Interventions for Bacterial Meningitis


Malissa Harris
Humber College

NURSING INTERVENTIONS FOR BACTERIAL MENINGITIS


2

Bacterial Meningitis is a severe bacterial disease that is common within the pediatric
community. Children under the age of one are the primary victims to bacterial meningitis, which
then inclines again at ages 15-19 years. When the bacterium enters the body it causes an acute
inflammation of the meninges, which is located in the brain. Once the bacterium is implanted it
spreads throughout the subarachnoid space. As a result the brain becomes edematous and
covered by a layer of purulent. These changes cause neurological disturbances, memory loss, and
behavioural changes. As the disease progresses the manifestations progress as well. Various
medications are used to treat meningitis such as antibiotics, anti-seizure medications and pain
medication. It is the nurses job to assist in the patients healing by implementing a set of
interventions that vary depending on the patients condition. Throughout this paper I will outline
an intervention that a nurse can follow and will state the consequences if this intervention is not
adequately used. I will also describe three different health care professionals that aid in the
treatment of bacterial meningitis, and three community resources that can benefit an adolescent
and their family members.
A primary nursing intervention would be administering the patients antibiotic
medications as soon as the patient is prescribed with bacterial meningitis. If this nursing
intervention is not completed, consequences for the patient can arise. There are a variety of
medications used to treat and manage meningitis, antibiotics are the primary ones. Antibiotics
used range from Cephalosporin, Aminoglycosides and Penicillin. Due to the neurological
impairment and mortality of meningitis, it is important that the initial antibiotics are administered
in a timely manner. In The New England Journal of Medicine it is stated, It is important to
institute antibiotic therapy promptly, and the accusation of failure to treat bacterial meningitis
promptly is a common reason for malpractice litigation (Wood, 1997). The inability to

NURSING INTERVENTIONS FOR BACTERIAL MENINGITIS


3

administer the medications promptly can be seen as malpractice due to the wide range of
consequences the late administration can cause.
Bacterial Meningitis in Children written by Xavier Saez-Llorens and partners, explains
the various complications that can arise. Some complications include; visual disturbances,
circulatory collapse, and neurological impairments. Seizures are also very common in pediatric
patients with bacterial meningitis, and can occur at any point throughout hospital administration.
With some patients, joints may also be effected, which later can cause arthritis. Death can also be
a negative outcome, if bacterial meningitis is not treated adequately. With the prompt
administration of antibiotic medications these complications can be reduced dramatically which
can lead to a decreased amount of mortality rates in young adolescents. Xavier Saez-Llorens
states, With prompt and adequate antimicrobial and supportive treatment, the chances for
survival today are excellent, especially in infants and children, for whom case fatality rates have
been reduced to less than 10% (Saez-Llorens, 2003). Diedrik Van de Beek who illustrated
Advances in Treatment of Bacterial Meningitis, stresses the importance of early medical
interventions through a study that was held consisting of 156 bacterial meningitis patients. A
delay in antibiotic treatment of longer than 3 h after arrival at the hospital was associated with
increased 3-month mortality (Van de Beek, 2012). The importance of early administration of
antibiotics is made evident, throughout this research study. With the initial and prompt
administration of medications, and with a combination of adjunctive therapies the health care
team can work together to optimize health outcomes in pediatrics with bacterial meningitis.
The main health care professionals that are involved in the care of patients with bacterial
meningitis include doctors, nurses and neurologists. The doctor has an important role in
diagnosing the patient. In order to diagnose the patient with bacterial meningitis the doctor must

NURSING INTERVENTIONS FOR BACTERIAL MENINGITIS


4

order diagnostic tests. The definitive diagnostic test is the examination and culture of cerebral
spinal fluid, which is obtained through a lumbar puncture. The examination of CSF, if positive
for bacterial meningitis will be revealed by a cloudy fluid with an increase of white blood cells
and protein, low glucose concentration and a positive smear stain test (Saez-Llorens, 2003).
Early diagnosis with the use of a lumbar puncture will help to establish the proper medical
treatment. Once the proper medical treatment is decided upon by the doctor the medications can
then be administered by the nurse. After the medications are administered follow up CSF
cultures are taken to see the effectiveness of the medications and will provide duration of time
needed for the medical treatment.
The nurse plays a huge role in regards to the administration of interventions.
Interventions can include; monitoring vital signs and fluid and electrolyte balances, preventing
injuries from seizures, implementing respiratory isolation, keeping the room quiet, and
maintaining any IV lines, and administering medications. Once the order is received from the
physician the nurse is then responsible for administering the entire amount of medication
prescribed. If the nurse misses a dose or administers the medication at inadequate times, this can
possibly cause the patient to experience further complications. The nurse also aids the physician
in preparing the patients for diagnostic testing, as well as keeping the physician informed of the
clients current and former conditions.
If the patients condition worsens, neurological disturbances can increase causing
moderate to severe neurological complications. These neurological complications can either be
short term or long term. Some neurological deficiencies caused by bacterial meningitis can
include: hearing loss, memory loss, learning disabilities, brain damage, gait problems and
seizures. The neurologist can work with the patient and the family to help prevent any of these

NURSING INTERVENTIONS FOR BACTERIAL MENINGITIS


5

complications and aid the family in coping with any neurological changes their child may be
facing. If there are neurological deficiencies post diagnosis, the neurologist can help to
distinguish what is going on in the patients brain and can work to better understand these
neurological complications. This then enables health care professionals to create further plans
that could help the overall improvement of the patients conditions. With the combination of
these health care professionals and some community resources the outcome of treatment will be
optimal.
There are various different kinds of outside resource organizations, which provide
awareness and education on this illness. Meningitis Relief Canada, Meningitis Now and Act of
Meningitis, are all different forms of resource organizations. These organizations provide public
awareness of this communicable disease, providing emotional and supportive counselling to
individuals and families. Each case of meningitis is unique to the client and their experiences;
therefore individualized counselling for patients and their afflicted families is necessary.
Meningitis is a severe disease and can affect many, but is mostly common in children.
Bacterial meningitis is a disease that affects the meninges of the brain causing many neurological
abnormalities. If not treated adequately there are many negative consequences that can arise,
which is why it is important for antibiotics to be administered immediately. The combination of
collaborative care between physicians, nurses and neurologists can help optimize the outcomes
for the childs health. Not only are there hospital resources for these patients, but also there are
many resources that help educate the public on the prevention of bacterial meningitis. Bacterial
meningitis is a life threatening disease for adolescents. It is crucial that nurses and health care
professionals implement safe and proper interventions.

NURSING INTERVENTIONS FOR BACTERIAL MENINGITIS


6

References
Counselling - ACT for Meningitis. (n.d.). Retrieved November 16, 2015, from
http://www.actformeningitis.ie/how-we-help/our-support-services/counselling/
Counselling and emotional support. (n.d.). Retrieved November 16, 2015, from
https://www.meningitisnow.org/how-we-help/ways-we-can-help-you/about-ourservices/counselling-and-emotional-support/
Meningitis Relief Canada (MRC). (n.d.). Retrieved November 16, 2015, from
http://www.meningitisrelief.com/
Meningitis. (n.d.). Retrieved November 16, 2015, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseasesconditions/meningitis/basics/complications/con-20019713
Perry, Shannon, Marilyn Hockenberry, Deitra Lowdermilk, David Wilson,
Cheryl Sams.
Maternal Child Nursing Care in Canada. Mosby Canada,
2013. VitalBook file.
Saez-Llorens, Xavier; McCracken, George H, JrView Profile. The
Lancet361.9375 (Jun 21, 2003): 2139-48.
Van de Beek, Diederik; Brouwer, Matthijs C; Thwaites, Guy E; Tunkel, Allan
RView Profile. The Lancet380.9854 (Nov 10, 2012): 1693-702.
Wood, Alastair JJ, MDView Profile; Quagliarello, Vincent J, MDView Profile;
Scheld, W Michael, MDView Profile. The New England Journal of
Medicine336.10 (Mar 6, 1997): 708-716.

Anda mungkin juga menyukai