Question

The nurse notes documentation that a child with meningitis is exhibiting a positive Kernig's sign. Which observation is characteristic of this sign?

Answer 1

A positive Kernig's sign, indicating stiffness or pain on the extension of the knee, suggests irritation of the meninges and supports a diagnosis of meningitis, especially when combined with symptoms like fever, headache, and neck stiffness.

Step-by-step explanation:

A positive Kernig's sign is one of the clinical indications often associated with meningitis. To observe Kernig's sign, a patient is usually placed in a supine position, and the knee is flexed at a 90-degree angle at the hip. Then, an attempt is made to straighten the leg. A positive Kernig's sign is noted when the extension of the knee is painful or limited due to stiffness, which is indicative of irritation of the meninges. This sign, coupled with symptoms like fever, headache, and neck stiffness, suggest the presence of meningitis. Diagnosis is typically confirmed through analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to check for abnormalities like elevated polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs), low glucose, and high protein levels.