Which finding in an infant with meningitis most strongly indicates increased intracranial pressure?

Unlock all questions

This demo includes only 20 questions. Upgrade to access hundreds of questions, flashcards, exam simulations, and disable ads.

Full question bankExam simulationsFlashcards
From $24.99Unlock all

Prepare for the NCLEX Pediatric Exam. Hone your skills with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and detailed explanations. Ace your exam with confidence!

Multiple Choice

Which finding in an infant with meningitis most strongly indicates increased intracranial pressure?

Explanation:
Bulging fontanelle signals increased intracranial pressure in an infant. The fontanelle is the soft spot where the skull bones haven’t yet fused, so it acts like a pressure gauge. When ICP rises from meningitis—due to inflammation, swelling, or excess CSF—the pressure pushes outward on the fontanelle, making it bulge. This is a more specific indicator of intracranial hypertension in infancy than irritability or mood changes, and headaches are hard to assess at this age. So the presence of a bulging fontanelle is the strongest clue of elevated ICP.

Bulging fontanelle signals increased intracranial pressure in an infant. The fontanelle is the soft spot where the skull bones haven’t yet fused, so it acts like a pressure gauge. When ICP rises from meningitis—due to inflammation, swelling, or excess CSF—the pressure pushes outward on the fontanelle, making it bulge. This is a more specific indicator of intracranial hypertension in infancy than irritability or mood changes, and headaches are hard to assess at this age. So the presence of a bulging fontanelle is the strongest clue of elevated ICP.

More Multiple Choice Questions
Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy