Bacterial Meningitis

By the end of this lesson the learner can: - Recognize the early and late presentation of bacterial meningitis, including the petechial or purpuric rash that signals meningococcal sepsis, and name the first nursing action and who is notified. - Explain why empiric antibiotics are started within one hour and are never held for a lumbar puncture or head CT. - State the indications for head CT before lumbar puncture and how dexamethasone timing and organism affect its use. - Apply droplet precautions correctly, including when they can be discontinued. - Recognize raised intracranial pressure, seizures, septic shock and DIC early and escalate with the right urgency. - Describe how public health is notified and how close contacts are identified and offered chemoprophylaxis. - Teach patients and families about warning signs, hearing follow-up and vaccine-preventable disease.