Ati lpn med surg exam
Ati lpn med surg exam ( 49 Questions)
The nurse is assessing a patient with suspected bacterial meningitis and notes a positive Kernig sign. How should the nurse interpret this finding?
Pain in the neck when the patient flexes their head towards the chest. This describes nuchal rigidity, not Kernig sign.
Involuntary flexion of the hips and knees when the neck is flexed. This describes Brudzinski sign, not Kernig sign.
Photophobia and headache triggered by bright light. These are symptoms of meningitis, but they are not specific to Kernig sign.
Pain and resistance when attempting to extend the patient's leg from a flexed position. A positive Kernig sign is when there is pain and resistance to leg extension from a flexed hip and knee position, indicating meningeal irritation.
A. Pain in the neck when the patient flexes their head towards the chest. This describes nuchal rigidity, not Kernig sign.
B. Involuntary flexion of the hips and knees when the neck is flexed. This describes Brudzinski sign, not Kernig sign.
C. Photophobia and headache triggered by bright light. These are symptoms of meningitis, but they are not specific to Kernig sign.
D. Pain and resistance when attempting to extend the patient's leg from a flexed position. A positive Kernig sign is when there is pain and resistance to leg extension from a flexed hip and knee position, indicating meningeal irritation.