The nurse is caring for a patient with meningitis who is not responding to the prescribed antibiotic and whose condition continues to deteriorate
What rationale will the nurse give the family to explain why the antibiotic is not as effective as it was hoped? A) The meninges do not have a blood supply.
B) The blood–brain barrier prevents the antibiotics from crossing into the brain.
C) The circle of Willis redirects the antibiotic elsewhere.
D) The pressure in the hindbrain prevents entry into the skull.
B
Feedback:
The blood–brain barrier works to keep large molecules out of the brain and away from the nerves. Most antibiotics are protein bound and cannot pass through the blood–brain barrier. When the infection becomes severe, the blood–brain barrier will stop being effective and the antibiotics can pass into the brain. The brain has a unique blood supply to protect the neurons from lack of oxygen and glucose. After the blood–brain barrier allows the antibiotic to pass through, the circle of Willis distributes the blood to the areas of need. If someone has an occluded carotid artery, which could build pressure up in the area, the circle of Willis can redirect the blood supply and provide a full blood supply to the affected areas.
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