Meningitis is a life-threatening inflammation of the meninges, the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord within the skull and vertebral canal. It is most commonly caused by infectious organisms such as bacteria and viruses and less frequently caused by fungi and parasites.
In this article:
- Overview
- Nursing Process
- Nursing Care Plans
- Impaired Comfort
- Ineffective Protection
- Risk for Increased Intracranial Pressure
- Risk for Infection
Overview
Risk factors for meningitis include extremes in age, those who live in community settings such as dormitories or military bases, immunosuppression, and not being vaccinated against meningitis.
Meningitis is acquired through two routes of transmission:
- Hematogenous seeding occurs when droplets of bacteria-contaminated respiratory secretions attach to the nasopharyngeal epithelial cells and subsequently enter the bloodstream.
- Direct contiguous spread happens when the pathologic agent infects the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) through the ears or nose, foreign objects, or exposure during surgical procedures.
Fever, stiff neck, photophobia, headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, delirium, confusion, and irritability are some clinical manifestations in patients with meningitis. Young children or infants may present with a high fever, constant crying, inconsolability, drowsiness, and poor feeding.
To confirm meningitis, patients undergo a lumbar puncture to obtain CSF and analyze its white blood cell count, glucose and protein content, and presence of bacteria. A CT scan may also visualize swelling in the sinuses.
Nursing Process
Nurses should remain aware of symptoms and populations at risk for meningitis. Nursing interventions will include close monitoring for complications or deconditioning, preparing the patient for testing, and administering treatments. Nurses should advise patients who are candidates to receive the meningococcal vaccine.
Nursing Care Plans
Once the nurse identifies nursing diagnoses for meningitis, nursing care plans help prioritize assessments and interventions for both short and long-term goals of care. In the following section, you will find nursing care plan examples for meningitis.
Hyperthermia
The inflammatory and infectious process that causes meningitis often presents with a fever.
Nursing Diagnosis: Hyperthermia
Related to:
- Disease process
- Inflammatory process
- Dehydration
- Decreased sweat response in infants
As evidenced by:
- Flushed skin
- Hypotension
- Tachycardia
- Lethargy
- Chills
- Excessive sweating
- Irritability
- Skin warm to touch
- Abnormal posturing
- Infant does not maintain suck
- Temperature reading of more than 100.4 F (38.0 C)
Expected outcomes:
- Patient will maintain a body temperature within the normal range for their age.
- Patient will remain free from any complications associated with hyperthermia, like seizures and dehydration.
Assessment:
1. Assess and monitor the patient’s vital signs, especially the temperature.
An onset of high fever is a common finding with meningitis. In infants, a rectal temperature is most accurate. Utilize the same temperature measurement method at all assessments (oral, axillary, rectal, tympanic, temporal) to ensure accuracy.
2. Assess for signs and symptoms of dehydration.
Hyperthermia can increase the patient’s risk of developing dehydration due to increased metabolic rate and insensible fluid loss. Signs and symptoms of dehydration include dry mucous membranes, decreased urine output, sunken eyes or fontanelles, and thirst.
Interventions:
1. Provide a tepid sponge bath and other comfort measures.
A tepid sponge bath is effective in lowering body temperature. Ice packs can be applied to the armpits or groin. Cool compresses can be applied to the forehead.
2. Provide oral or intravenous fluids as ordered.
IV and oral fluids must be provided to ensure adequate hydration and prevent dehydration.
3. Administer medications as indicated.
Antipyretics can help decrease the patient’s body temperature. Antibiotics, antivirals, or antifungals treat the underlying cause of hyperthermia in meningitis.
4. Instruct on signs of hyperthermia.
Educate parents to monitor children at home for symptoms of hyperthermia that require prompt treatment, such as irritability, difficulty eating/feeding, and lethargy.
Impaired Comfort
Patients lack physical, psychosocial, cultural, and environmental ease due to the clinical manifestations caused by the disease.
Nursing Diagnosis: Impaired Comfort
Related to:
As evidenced by:
- Expression of anxiety, overwhelm
- Alterations in sleeping pattern
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fever
- Severe headache
- Light sensitivity
- Neck stiffness
- Feelings of irritability and restlessness
- Concern about procedures (spinal tap)
Expected outcomes:
- Patient will verbalize a sense of control over their situation.
- Patient will be able to rest/sleep quietly.
Assessment:
1. Assess the patient’s pain, including location, characteristics, onset, duration, and precipitating factors.
At the onset of meningitis, patients may feel severe headaches and neck pain and stiffness that may cause them to be unable to touch the chin to the chest or turn the head.
2. Monitor nonverbal cues of discomfort.
Expression of discomfort varies for each age group. Infants may be lethargic and refuse to eat or have shrill cries.
Interventions:
1. Administer medications as needed.
Analgesics, sedatives, antiemetics, and antipyretics manage the client’s pain, fever, nausea, and vomiting.
2. Provide periods of undisturbed rest.
Overstimulation due to unconsolidated activities may worsen the patient’s hyperirritable state. They are highly sensitive to touch, light, and loud sounds.
3. Maintain a position of comfort.
Nurses may elevate the head or turn patients to anticipate seizure or vomiting episodes. Patients with meningeal irritation and neck pain assume a position wherein the back is extended slightly and the body is curled.
4. Explain all procedures.
Before implementing tests such as a CT scan or spinal tap, educate the patient on what to expect to prevent anxiety and increased stress. If possible, remain with the patient to provide comfort.
5. Encourage family support.
When applicable, allow family visitation to provide emotional support to ease fear.
Ineffective Protection
Meningitis is characterized by an infection of the meninges that causes inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. Infants, young children, the elderly, and other populations with a weakened immune system experience a reduced ability to guard against infection.
Nursing Diagnosis: Ineffective Protection
Related to:
- Inadequate access to vaccines
- Ineffective health self-management
- Malnutrition
- Vaccine hesitancy
- Weakened immune response
As evidenced by:
- Chilling
- Disorientation
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Restlessness
- Poor feeding in infants
Expected outcomes:
- Patient will remain free from complications like seizures, focal neurologic deficits, and cognitive impairment.
- Patient will demonstrate or verbalize strategies to prevent contracting infectious diseases.
Assessment:
1. Assess and monitor the patient’s vital signs.
Vital signs are a quick and efficient way to monitor the patient’s status. Fevers are a typical finding with meningitis and should be monitored closely. Monitor blood pressure and heart rate for concerns of dehydration or sepsis.
2. Monitor the patient’s neurologic status.
Patients with meningitis are at risk of developing neurological complications like hearing loss, seizure disorders, cognitive impairment, and hydrocephalus. Closely monitor the patient’s mental status, hearing and speech, vision, sensory function, behavior, and coordination.
3. Assess laboratory values and diagnostic studies.
The nurse may assist the provider in performing a lumbar puncture with an analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid to aid in diagnosing meningitis.
Interventions:
1. Administer antibiotic therapy as indicated.
Antibiotics, antifungals, or antivirals are administered depending on the underlying pathogen.
2. Administer IV fluids.
Infants and young children are especially vulnerable to dehydration while ill. IV fluids may be necessary to prevent dehydration if the patient is refusing or unable to consume liquids.
3. Educate on immunization.
The meningococcal conjugate vaccine is recommended for preteens age 11 and older. Some infants may receive the vaccine if they are at an increased risk for meningitis.
4. Instruct on strategies to prevent infectious diseases.
Remind patients with a weakened immune system to avoid contact with sick people, avoid large crowds, and wear a mask in public places. Hand hygiene is the most important way to prevent transmitting infections, so infants and young children may need assistance with keeping their hands clean.
Risk for Increased Intracranial Pressure
Patients with meningitis may experience increased intracranial pressure (>15 mmHg) from the edema and contaminated CSF in the subarachnoid space.
Nursing Diagnosis: Risk for Increased Intracranial Pressure
Related to:
- Inflammation of the meninges
- Cerebral edema
As evidenced by:
A risk diagnosis is not evidenced by signs and symptoms as the problem has not yet occurred. Nursing interventions are aimed at prevention.
Expected outcomes:
- Patient will be alert, oriented, and calm without any alterations in the level of consciousness.
- Patient will not experience any seizure episodes.
- Patient will maintain stable vital signs:
- Pulse 60 to 100 beats per minute
- Respirations 16 to 20 breaths per minute
- BP >90/60, <140/90 mmHg
- Patient will not experience vomiting.
- Patient’s ICP monitoring will remain <15 mmHg.
Assessment:
1. Monitor for any signs and symptoms of increased ICP.
Headache, nausea and vomiting, altered mental status, and visual changes such as blurred/double vision may be suspicious for increased ICP. Cushing’s triad (hypertension, bradycardia, and irregular respirations) may signal brain herniation which is fatal. Prompt identification of these signs and symptoms prevents complications and death.
2. Monitor arterial blood gas (ABG) values.
ABG values reflect the gas exchange in the lungs, oxygen level, and arterial CO2. Maintaining arterial O2 (90 to 100 mmHg) and CO2 (25 to 30 mmHg) within normal limits prevents cerebral ischemia, congestion, and increased ICP.
Interventions:
1. Elevate the head of the bed 30° to 45° unless contraindicated.
Head elevation facilitates venous drainage to minimize cerebrovascular congestion. Thus, decreasing ICP.
2. Provide safety in the event of a seizure.
Seizure activity may occur as a result of meningitis or ICP. Prevent injuries by padding side rails, placing mats on the floor, and having emergency equipment at the bedside.
3. Instruct the patient to avoid the following situations that may trigger increased ICP:
- Carotid massage – causes bradycardia and decreased systemic circulation, followed by a sudden increase in circulation.
- Neck flexion restricts jugular venous drainage, thereby increasing cerebrovascular congestion and ICP.
- Rapid position changes – extreme flexion of hips and knees increases intrathoracic pressure and inhibits jugular venous drainage causing increased cerebrovascular congestion and ICP.
4. Avoid activities that increase ICP.
Coughing, suctioning, repositioning, and bathing may potentially increase ICP. Perform only as required.
5. Administer osmotic diuretics.
Mannitol can reduce cerebral edema and decrease ICP.
Risk for Infection
The patient is at risk for the hematogenous spread of the pathogenic agent, causing further complications.
Nursing Diagnosis: Risk for Infection
Related to:
- Stasis of body fluids
- Suppressed inflammatory response
- Lack of knowledge to avoid exposure to pathogens
As evidenced by:
A risk diagnosis is not evidenced by signs and symptoms as the problem has not yet occurred. Nursing interventions are aimed at prevention.
Expected outcomes:
- Patient will maintain vital signs within normal limits.
- Patient will demonstrate normal CSF findings:
- Color: Clear
- Specific gravity/pH: 1.006–1.007/7.4
- Opening pressure: 50–200 mm H2O
- RBCs count: 0
- WBC count: 0–5, predominantly lymphocytes
- Proteins: 15–40 mg/dL
- Lactate: 1–3 mmol/ L
- Glucose: 50–80 mg/dL
- Microbial examination: No microorganism
- Patient will verbalize the understanding of risk factors for meningitis.
Assessment:
1. Assess for host-specific risk factors that affect immunity.
Immunocompromised patients with HIV, diabetes, liver disease, or those who take steroids or undergo chemotherapy do not have the optimal immune response to combat opportunistic infections.
2. Monitor vital signs.
Hyperthermia, tachycardia, and tachypnea may indicate inflammatory or infectious processes. Noting the presence of a new onset of fever facilitates prompt identification and management.
Interventions:
1. Administer antibiotics as prescribed.
Bacterial meningitis is treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics such as ampicillin, ceftriaxone, and vancomycin. Antibiotics are selected based on the culture results, and they must pass the blood-brain barrier to penetrate the CSF adequately.
2. Provide respiratory isolation as indicated.
Meningitis is transmitted through droplets of contaminated respiratory secretions. Respiratory isolation measures such as wearing masks may be implemented and continued for 24 hours after the initiation of antimicrobials. Patients should be placed on droplet precautions in the hospital setting.
3. Instruct proper hand hygiene techniques.
Hand hygiene is the first line of defense against infection.
4. Educate the patient and those in close contact.
Education is important to prevent the spread. Prophylactic treatment may be required for some individuals in certain cases of meningitis. Vaccination can prevent meningitis and should be recommended for eligible patients.
References
- Carpenito, L.J. (2013). Nursing diagnosis: Application to clinical practice. (14th ed.). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
- Doenges, M. E., Moorhouse, M.F., & Murr, A.C. (2019). Nursing care plans: Guidelines for individualizing client care across the life span. (10th ed.). F.A. Davis.
- Hersi K, Gonzalez FJ, Kondamudi NP. Meningitis. [Updated 2022 Aug 14]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459360/
- Hrishi, A. P., & Sethuraman, M. (2019). Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Analysis and Interpretation in Neurocritical Care for Acute Neurological Conditions. Indian journal of critical care medicine: peer-reviewed, official publication of Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine, 23(Suppl 2), S115–S119. https://doi.org/10.5005/jp-journals-10071-23187
- Jameson, L.J., et al. (2018). Harrison’s principles of internal medicine. (20th ed.). McGraw Hill.
- Jane LA, Wray AA. Lumbar Puncture. [Updated 2022 Jul 25]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557553/
