A nurse in the emergency room is assessing a client who was brought in following a seizure. The nurse suspects the client may have meningococcal meningitis. Assessment findings include nuchal rigidity and a petechial rash. After Implementing droplet precautions, which of the following actions should the nurse initiate next?

A.Correct. Increasing fluid intake can help replenish cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that was lost during the lumbar puncture, which can reduce the pressure difference between the brain and spinal cord that causes the headache.

B.Incorrect. Administering pain medication can help relieve the headache temporarily, but it does not address the underlying cause of CSF loss and pressure difference.

C. Incorrect. Darkening the client's room and closing the door can help reduce sensory stimuli that may aggravate the headache, but it does not address the underlying cause of CSF loss and pressure difference.

D. Incorrect. Elevating the head of the bed to 30 can worsen the headache by increasing the pressure difference between the brain and spinal cord, as gravity pulls more CSF away from the brain.

A. Complete a vascular assessment: Although meningococcal meningitis can lead to complications such as septicemia, which affects vascular status, assessing cranial nerves is more immediately pertinent. Identifying neurological deficits can provide crucial information about the extent and location of meningitis-related brain involvement.

B. Assess the cranial nerves: This is the correct action to initiate next. Meningococcal meningitis can affect the central nervous system, leading to cranial nerve involvement. Assessing the cranial nerves helps to identify any neurological deficits early, which is crucial for guiding treatment and monitoring progression.

C. Decrease environmental stimuli: While this is important for managing a patient with meningitis to prevent further neurological irritation, it is not as immediate a priority as assessing cranial nerve function to detect any neurological impairment.

D. Administer an antipyretic: Fever management is important, but it is not the next immediate priority after initiating droplet precautions. Assessing cranial nerves provides vital information about the patient's neurological status, which directly impacts immediate clinical decisions.