Final answer:
Additional care for a 15-year-old patient who is lethargic includes further testing such as CBC, blood cultures, lumbar puncture, and neuroimaging. Treatment will depend on the diagnosis but could involve medications for infections, or supportive measures such as hydration and nutritional support.
Step-by-step explanation:
A 15-year-old patient who is lethargic but has been stabilized requires additional care and interventions to ensure a full recovery and to identify the underlying cause of the symptoms. Given the clinical focus provided, where a patient exhibits symptoms such as diminished appetite, lethargy, light sensitivity, and stiff neck, the medical team should consider and rule out various potential conditions such as infections (like meningitis or encephalitis), neurological disorders, or metabolic imbalances. Ensuring hydration and nutrition, close monitoring of vital signs, and neurological assessments are immediate steps in general supportive care.
Additional tests that should be performed include a complete blood count (CBC), blood cultures, a lumbar puncture for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, and neuroimaging like CT or MRI scans to examine for any abnormalities or infections in the brain. The patient's recent history of travel to Gambia raises concerns for infectious diseases endemic to that region, which should be examined thoroughly.
The type of treatment recommended will depend on the final diagnosis but may include antibiotics or antiviral medications for infections, antiepileptics if seizures are involved, or specific treatments for any identified metabolic conditions. Supportive measures such as intravenous fluids for hydration, pain management, and nutritional support are vital, while continual assessment of the patient's condition will guide further interventions.