Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing 14e (Hinkle 2017) - Management of Patients with Neurologic Infections, Autoimmune Disorders, and Neuropathies Related

Review Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing 14e (Hinkle 2017) - Management of Patients with Neurologic Infections, Autoimmune Disorders, and Neuropathies related questions and content

A male patient presents to the clinic complaining of a headache. The nurse notes that the patient is guarding his neck and tells the nurse that he has stiffness in the neck area. The nurse suspects the patient may have meningitis. What is another well-recognized sign of this infection?

  • A. Negative Brudzinski's sign
  • B. Positive Kernig's sign
  • C. Hyperpatellar reflex
  • D. Sluggish pupil reaction
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: A positive Kernig's sign, where leg extension causes pain due to meningeal irritation, is a classic sign of meningitis. Brudzinski's sign is positive, not negative, and reflexes or pupil reactions are not typical signs.