A family brings a client to the emergency department with increasing lethargy and disorientation. They think the client had a seizure on the drive over to the hospital. The client has been sick with a "cold virus" for the last few days

Question

On admission, the clients' temperature is 102°F. Which other clinical manifestations may lead to the diagnosis of encephalitis?
A) Petechia over entire body
B) BP 100/72
C) Impaired neck flexion resulting from muscle spasm
D) Appearance of red-purple discolorations on the skin that do not blanch on applying pressure

Answer 1

Ans: C
Feedback:
Like meningitis, encephalitis is characterized by fever, headache, and nuchal rigidity (impaired neck flexion resulting from muscle spasm), but more often clients also experience neurologic disturbances, such as lethargy, disorientation, seizures, focal paralysis, delirium, and coma. Meningococcal meningitis is characterized by a petechial (petite hemorrhagic spots) rash with palpable purpura (red-purple discolorations on the skin that do not blanch on applying pressure) in most people. This BP is within normal range.