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Nuchal rigidity is characterized by involuntary muscle spasms that limit passive neck flexion. Although it has myriad causes, meningeal irritation may occur secondary to infection, so patients must be evaluated emergently for meningitis/focal infection. Cervical muscle spasms and... Differential Diagnosis ... Workup and Diagnosis ... Treatment
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... Finding nuchal rigidity on examination has almost invariably prompted the diagnosis of meningitis and lumbar puncture, but the astute clinician will want to consider other possibilities to avoid a potentially hazardous procedure. Anatomy is the
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... A positive Brudzinski's sign (flexion of the hips and knees in response to passive flexion of the neck) signals meningeal irritation. Passive flexion of the neck stretches the nerve roots, causing pain and involuntary flexion of the knees and hips.... Emergency interventions ... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Special considerations ... Pictures
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... A reliable early indicator and tool used to diagnose meningeal irritation, Kernig’s sign elicits resistance and hamstring muscle pain when the examiner attempts to extend the knee while the hip and knee are flexed 90 degrees. However, when the patient’s thigh isn’t flexed on... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Pictures
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... Commonly an early sign of meningeal irritation, nuchal rigidity refers to neck stiffness that prevents flexion. To elicit this sign, attempt to passively flex the patient’s neck and touch his chin to his chest. If nuchal rigidity is present, this maneuver triggers pain and... Emergency interventions ... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers
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... Two major meningococcal infections (meningitis and meningococcemia) are caused by the gram-negative bacteria Neisseria meningitidis, which also causes primary pneumonia, purulent conjunctivitis, endocarditis, sinusitis, and genital infection.... Causes and incidence ... Signs and symptoms ... Diagnosis ... Treatment ... Special considerations
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... An acute or chronic infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, tuberculosis (TB) is characterized by pulmonary infiltrates, formation of granulomas with caseation, fibrosis, and cavitation. People who live in crowded, poorly ventilated conditions and those who are... Causes and incidence ... Signs and symptoms ... Diagnosis ... Treatment ... Special considerations
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... Signs and Symptoms Sudden onset of fever, headache, vomiting, meningeal irritation (stiff neck and back), drowsiness, coma, paralysis, seizures, ataxia, psychoses
Treatment (Tx) Anticonvulsants, acyclovir (if... Pictures
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... West Nile encephalitis is categorized as an infectious disease that primarily causes an inflammation or “encephalitis” of the brain. West Nile virus (WNV), a flavivirus commonly found in humans, birds, and other vertebrates in Africa, west Asia, and the Middle East,... Causes and incidence ... Signs and symptoms ... Diagnosis ... Treatment ... Special considerations ... Pictures
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... Signs and Symptoms Nuchal rigidity, Brudzinski’s and Kernig’s signs, exaggerated deep tendon reflexes, opisthotonos, sinus arrhythmias, irritability, photophobia, deep stupor, coma
Treatment (Tx) ... Pictures
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... A positive Brudzinski’s sign (flexion of the hips and knees in response to passive flexion of the neck) signals meningeal irritation. Passive flexion of the neck stretches the nerve roots, causing pain and involuntary flexion of the knees and hips.
Brudzinski&rsquo... Emergency interventions ... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Pictures
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... Commonly an early sign of meningeal irritation, nuchal rigidity refers to stiffness of the neck that prevents flexion. To elicit this sign, attempt to passively flex the patient’s neck and touch his chin to his chest. If nuchal rigidity is present, this... Emergency Interventions ... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers
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... An acute or chronic infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, tuberculosis (TB) is characterized by pulmonary infiltrates, formation of granulomas with caseation, fibrosis, and cavitation. People living in crowded, poorly ventilated conditions are most likely to... Causes ... Signs and symptoms ... Diagnosis ... Treatment ... Special considerations
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... A severe inflammation of the brain, encephalitis is usually caused by a mosquito-borne or, in some areas, a tick-borne virus. Viruses transmitted by arthropods are arboviruses (arthropod-borne). Transmission by means other than arthropod bites may occur through... Causes ... Signs and symptoms ... Diagnosis ... Treatment ... Special considerations ... Pictures
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... West Nile encephalitis, part of a family of vectorborne diseases that also includes malaria, yellow fever, and Lyme disease, is an infectious disease that primarily causes encephalitis (inflammation) of the brain. It’s caused by the West Nile virus (WNV), a flavivirus... Causes ... Signs and symptoms ... Diagnosis ... Treatment ... Special considerations
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... A reliable early indicator and tool used to diagnose meningeal irritation, Kernig’s sign elicits both resistance and hamstring muscle pain when the examiner attempts to extend the knee while the hip and knee are both flexed 90 degrees. However, when the patient... Assessment ... History ... Physical examination ... Pediatric pointers ... Medical causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching ... Pictures
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... A positive Brudzinski’s sign (flexion of the hips and knees in response to passive flexion of the neck) signals meningeal irritation. Passive flexion of the neck stretches the nerve roots, causing pain and involuntary flexion of the knees... Emergency Actions ... History ... Physical assessment ... Medical causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Patient counseling ... Pictures
... READ EXCERPTS »
... A reliable early indicator and tool used to diagnose meningeal irritation, Kernig’s sign elicits resistance and hamstring muscle pain when the examiner attempts to extend the knee while the hip and knee are both flexed 90 degrees. However, when the patient... History ... Physical assessment ... Medical causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Patient counseling ... Pictures
... READ EXCERPTS »
... Commonly an early sign of meningeal irritation, nuchal rigidity refers to stiffness of the neck that prevents flexion. To elicit this sign, attempt to passively flex the patient’s neck and touch his chin to his chest. If nuchal rigidity is present... Emergency Actions ... History ... Physical assessment ... Medical causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Patient counseling ... Pictures
... READ EXCERPTS »
... A positive Brudzinski's sign (flexion of the hips and knees in response to passive flexion of the neck) signals meningeal irritation. Passive flexion of the neck stretches the nerve roots, causing pain and involuntary flexion of the knees and hips.
Brudzinski's... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching ... Pictures
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... A reliable early indicator and tool used to diagnose meningeal irritation, Kernig's sign is hamstring stiffness and muscle pain when the examiner attempts to extend the knee while the hip and knee are flexed 90 degrees. This pain causes resistance to movement. However, when the patient's... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching ... Pictures
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... Commonly an early sign of meningeal irritation, nuchal rigidity refers to neck stiffness that prevents flexion. To elicit this sign, attempt to passively flex the patient's neck and touch his chin to his chest. If nuchal rigidity is present, this... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching
... READ EXCERPTS »
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Finding nuchal rigidity on examination has almost invariably prompted
the diagnosis of meningitis and lumbar puncture, but the astute clinician
will want to consider other possibilities to avoid a potentially hazardous
procedure. Anatomy is the key.... Pictures
... READ EXCERPTS »
... A. G. Christina Bergqvist, MD Encephalitis - BASICS Encephalitis - description Inflammation of the brain parenchyma owing to infection. Meningoencephalitis is inflammation of the brain and the meninges. Encephalitis ... Encephalitis - DIAGNOSIS ... Encephalitis - TREATMENT ... Encephalitis - FOLLOW UP ... Encephalitis - bibliography ... Encephalitis - CODES ... Encephalitis - PATIENT TEACHING-MED ... Encephalitis - FAQ
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