Shared Flashcard Set

Details

Meningitis
Lecture 6
12
Pharmacology
Professional
02/21/2013

Additional Pharmacology Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
Where is the subarachnoid space located?
Definition
In between the dura and the pia mater
**swelling of the meninges can cause brain to become necrotic
Term
What is encephalitis?
Definition
Inflammation of the brain w/ EARLY mental status changes. Caused by a virus - CT and MRI rule out infection
Term
What are the types of meningitis?
Definition
- Aseptic - no organism identified, but usually viral. Mild and self-limiting.
- Septic - a bacterial infection, usually caused by S. pneumoniae or N. meningitidis
Term
What are risk factors for meningitis?
Definition
Age < 1 year
Alcoholic
High dose steroids
Spleen removal
Term
What is the triad of meningitis symptoms?
Definition
- Fever
- Nuchal rigidity/stiff neck
- Altered mental status
**Children often have non-specific signs - low grade fever.
*** + Brudzinski's sign, Kernig's sign
Term
How can a lumbar puncture diagnose meningitis?
Definition
- Normal - free of WBC
- Bacterial - highest WBC and protein
Term
How do cultures impact treatment of meningitis?
Definition
ALWAYS culture the CSF before treating empirically
Term
How is meningitis treated?
Definition
- Hydration! + other supportive therapy
- Empiric treatment, then tx for 7-14 days
** +/- dexamethasone for S. pneumoniae or H. influenzae.
Term
What promotes antibiotic penetration into the CSF?
Definition
- Low MW
- Maximized dose
- Do not choose an antibiotic with low CSF penetration
Term
What are the most common treatments for bacterial meningitis?
Definition
- Ceftriaxone in adults, Cefotaxime in kids
- Pseudomonas - Cefepime/Ceftazidime
- Ampicillin in <1 month old
Term
What are the most common causes of bacterial meningitis?
Definition
- N. meningitidis/Meningococcus - most common. In winter or spring. Use High dose PCN if susceptible or Ceftriaxone. There is a vaccine! Rifampin for close contact - S. pneumoniae/Pneumococcus - common in adults - PCN, Ceftriaxone, or Vanc + Ceftriaxone. Vaccine! - H. influenzae - very rare after flu vaccine - Listeria - very young and old. use Ampicillin + gentamicin
Term
What is the dose for ceftriaxone to treat meningitis?
Definition
ALWAYS 2 g q12h
**Push vancomycin peaks higher, to 40 or 45
Supporting users have an ad free experience!