Bacterial meningitis physical examination: Difference between revisions
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* | * | ||
====Skin==== | ====Skin==== | ||
*Presence of skin rash may indicate Neisseria | *Presence of skin rash may indicate [[Neisseria Meningitidis|Neisseria meningitidis]] infection | ||
====Special tests==== | ====Special tests==== | ||
There are two special tests for meningitis: | |||
*[[Kernig's sign]] | *[[Kernig's sign]] | ||
* | *[[Brudzinski's sign]] | ||
===Infants=== | ===Infants=== |
Revision as of 16:01, 9 January 2017
Bacterial meningitis Microchapters |
Diagnosis |
Treatment |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Aysha Anwar, M.B.B.S[2]
Overview
Physical examination
Adults
The physical examination findings in adults may include the following:
General appearance
- Patient may look distressed
- Altered mental status-not oriented in time, place and person
Vital signs
- Bradycardia may indicate increased intracranial pressure
- Increased or decreased temperature
HEENT
- Signs of infection indicating sinusitis, mastoiditis, and otitis media may help identify the source of infection and give a clue about diagnosis.
- Papilledema may indicate increased intracranial pressure.
- Neck stiffness is strongly suggestive of meningitis.
CVS
- Decreased heart rate indicates increased intracranial pressure
CNS
- Signs of neurological deficit may not be present.
Skin
- Presence of skin rash may indicate Neisseria meningitidis infection
Special tests
There are two special tests for meningitis:
Infants
- Neck stiffenss
- Altered mental status
- Bulging fontanelle
- Convulsions