7 Meningitis Nursing Care Plan

Make Nursing Interventions and Nursing Diagnostic by using this Meningitis Nursing Care Plan guidance.

Inflammation of the meninges around the brain and spinal cord caused by a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection is known as meningitis. Haemophilus influenzae type b, Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcal meningitis), and Streptococcus pneumoniae are three bacteria that can cause bacterial illnesses (pneumococcal meningitis). Infants between the ages of 6 and 12 months are most at risk for this condition, and most instances happen in patients between the ages of 1 month and 5 years. Vascular dispersion from an infection in the sinuses or nasopharynx, or one implanted as a result of wounds, skull fractures, lumbar punctures, or surgical procedures, is the most typical route of infection. Viruses can cause viral (aseptic) meningitis, which is frequently linked to the measles, mumps, herpes, or enteritis. Treatment for this kind of meningitis is symptomatic for 3 to 10 days until it self-limits.

Hospitalization is used to distinguish between the two kinds of meningitis, followed by isolation, symptom treatment, and the avoidance of sequelae.

Meningitis Nursing Care Plan

The nursing care aims for a child with meningitis include maintaining normal body temperature, preventing damage, improving coping mechanisms, accurately perceiving environmental cues, regaining normal cognitive skills, and avoiding complications.

Meningitis Nursing Care Plan

1. Ineffective Tissue Perfusion (Cerebral)

Nursing Diagnosis

Ineffective Tissue Perfusion (Cerebral)

May be related to

• The pressure inside the skull has risen
• Cerebral edema

Possibly evidenced by

• Delirium, hallucinations
• Drowsiness
• Hypercapnia

Desired Outcomes

• Vital signs of the kid will return to normal; the child is aware and oriented; motor, cognitive, and sensory function are within the child’s age-appropriate ranges; and the specific urine gravity is normal.

[wptb id=282]

Meningitis Nursing Care Plan

2. Hyperthermia

Nursing Diagnosis

• Hyperthermia

May be related to

• Infection
• Abnormal temperature regulation

Possibly evidenced by

• Higher than usual body temperature
• Flushed, hot skin
• Higher heart rate
• Accelerated breathing
• Seizures

Desired Outcomes

• Child’s body temperature will return to normal and stay there.

[wptb id=283]

Meningitis Nursing Care Plan

3. Acute Pain

Nursing Diagnosis

• Acute Pain

May be related to

• The pressure inside the skull has risen
• Inflammation of the meninges

Possibly evidenced by

• Neck stiffness
• Headache
• Irritability
• Nuchal rigidity

Desired Outcomes

• Child will express emotions of alleviation from discomfort and contentment.

[wptb id=285]

Meningitis Nursing Care Plan

4. Disturbed Sensory Perception

Nursing Diagnosis

• Disturbed Sensory Perception

May be related to

• Reduced LOC
• Brain edoema
• ICP increase
• Hydrocephalus

Possibly evidenced by

• Altered Sensory System

Desired Outcomes

• The child’s LOC will remain normal.

[wptb id=287]

Meningitis Nursing Care Plan

5. Anxiety

Nursing Diagnosis

• Anxiety

May be related to

• Threat to a child’s health or a change in that status.
• Hospitalization of a kid is a threat to or alteration in the surroundings.

Possibly evidenced by

• Increased concern that the child’s condition could deteriorate
• Expressed anxiety and concern about the child really being hospitalized and the severity of the condition

Desired Outcomes

• Parents will feel decreased anxiety

[wptb id=288]

Meningitis Nursing Care Plan

6. Deficient Knowledge

Nursing Diagnosis

• Deficient Knowledge

May be related to

• Not being exposed to information.

Possibly evidenced by

• Request for details on drugs, warning signals, symptoms, and reportable behaviors.
• General nursing throughout an infant’s or child’s convalescence

Desired Outcomes

• Parents explain the cause and the proposed course of action.

[wptb id=289]

Meningitis Nursing Care Plan

7. Risk for Injury

Nursing Diagnosis

• Risk for Injury

May be related to

• Impaired neuronal regulation function due to internal cause.

Possibly evidenced by

• [not applicable]

Desired Outcomes

• No harm will come to the child.

[wptb id=291]