Meningitis is the inflammation of which part of the body?

Appeared in: RML PRE 2025

Explanation

Meningitis is defined as the inflammation of the meninges, which are the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.
The term is a combination of 'meninges' (the anatomical part) and the suffix '-itis,' which is a standard medical suffix denoting inflammation.
The meninges consist of three distinct layers: the dura mater (outermost), the arachnoid mater (middle), and the pia mater (innermost).

Option A: Inflammation of the lungs is known as pneumonia or pneumonitis.
Option B: Inflammation of the heart is broadly termed carditis. More specific terms depend on the layer affected: pericarditis (outer sac), myocarditis (heart muscle), and endocarditis (inner lining).
Option D: Inflammation of the kidneys is called nephritis.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Medical terminology for inflammation of specific body parts as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Early recognition of meningitis symptoms (fever, severe headache, nuchal rigidity/stiff neck) is a critical nursing responsibility. Bacterial meningitis is a medical emergency requiring immediate antibiotic therapy and droplet precautions to prevent transmission.
Nurses play a key role in preparing for and assisting with a lumbar puncture (spinal tap), the definitive diagnostic test for meningitis, which analyzes cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for signs of infection and inflammation.
What if? If a patient presents with a positive Kernig's sign (pain on knee extension when hip is flexed) and Brudzinski's sign (involuntary hip/knee flexion when neck is flexed), the suspicion for meningeal irritation is very high. The nurse should prioritize notifying the physician and preparing for a lumbar puncture.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question testing knowledge of medical terminology.
First, analyze the term 'meningitis'. The suffix '-itis' is a standard medical suffix meaning 'inflammation'.
The root word 'mening-' directly corresponds to the 'meninges'.
Systematically rule out the other options by recalling the correct terms for inflammation in those organs: Lungs (pneumonia), Heart (carditis), and Kidneys (nephritis).
Select the option that correctly matches the anatomical part with the term provided in the question.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Q3xRbTa6BTZ-Vvsz-nODYe

E6 Nursing Brunner Adult Health 3SA Vol 2 Part 2 p. 118-120

E6 Pathology-Vandana Puri & Kavita Gaur Textbook of Pathology and Genetics p. 366-368

Practise the full RML PRE 2025

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