Indication for developing meningitis is :

Appeared in: IGNOU PB Bsc Entrance-2023

Explanation

A positive Brudzinski's sign is a classic clinical finding that indicates meningeal irritation.
It is elicited by passively flexing the patient's neck, which causes an involuntary flexion of the hips and knees.
This reflex occurs because the inflammation of the meninges makes the spinal cord and nerve roots sensitive to stretching.
Its presence is highly suggestive of meningitis and warrants immediate medical evaluation.

Option A: A negative Kernig's sign is a normal finding, indicating no hamstring stiffness or pain upon knee extension with a flexed hip.
Option B: The absence of nuchal rigidity (neck stiffness) is a normal finding.
Option D: A Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 15 is the highest possible score, indicating a fully conscious and neurologically intact person.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Clinical signs of meningeal irritation in meningitis as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Early recognition of meningeal signs like Brudzinski's sign is critical for prompt diagnosis and treatment of meningitis, which can prevent severe complications like brain damage, hearing loss, or death.
Nurses play a key role in assessing for these signs during routine neurological checks, especially in patients with fever, headache, or altered mental status.
What if the patient is an infant under 1 year old? In infants, classic signs like nuchal rigidity, Brudzinski's, and Kernig's signs may be absent or difficult to interpret. Instead, a nurse should look for signs like a bulging fontanel, high-pitched cry, irritability, and poor feeding.

How to Approach the Question

First, understand the question is asking for a positive indicator of meningitis from the given options.
Analyze the core concept: Meningitis is inflammation of the meninges, which causes specific signs of irritation.
Evaluate each option: A 'negative' sign or 'absence' of a sign usually indicates normalcy. A GCS of 15 is a perfect score, also indicating normalcy.
Recall or deduce the classic signs of meningeal irritation: nuchal rigidity, positive Kernig's sign, and positive Brudzinski's sign.
Identify that 'Positive Brudzinski sign' is the only option that represents an abnormal finding directly pointing to meningeal irritation.

Concept Tested & Keywords

QpBNJNlhXj2R7iuGu2oIYG

E6 Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(2024) — Volume 2 p. 1568-1570

E6 Medicine Harrison 22e Part 1 p. 1161-1163

E6 Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(2024) — Volume 1 p. 1744-1746

Practise the full IGNOU PB Bsc Entrance-2023

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.