ATI Community Leadership Disaster and Neuro Related

Review ATI Community Leadership Disaster and Neuro related questions and content

A nurse is assessing a client who reports a severe headache and stiff neck. The nurse's assessment reveals positive Kernig's and Brudzinski's signs. Which of the following actions should the nurse perform first?

  • A. Decrease bright lights
  • B. Implement droplet precautions
  • C. Initiate IV access
  • D. Administer antibiotics
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Implement droplet precautions. This is the first action the nurse should take because positive Kernig's and Brudzinski's signs suggest the client may have meningitis, which is highly contagious through respiratory droplets. Implementing droplet precautions will help prevent the spread of the infection to others. Decreasing bright lights (A) may be helpful for the client's comfort but is not the priority. Initiating IV access (C) and administering antibiotics (D) are important interventions but should be done after implementing precautions to prevent transmission of the infection.