A nurse is admitting a client who has meningitis. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

Choice A reason: Tapping the client's facial nerve and noting any facial twitching is not a specific assessment for bacterial meningitis. This action is more related to evaluating facial nerve function and is not typically used to diagnose meningitis.

Choice B reason: Striking the client's patellar tendon with a percussion hammer and noting any increase in response is a test for reflexes, which may or may not be altered in bacterial meningitis. An increased response can be seen in various neurological conditions and is not specific to meningitis.

Choice C reason: Gently elevating the client's head and noting any nuchal rigidity is a key part of the focused assessment for bacterial meningitis. Nuchal rigidity, or stiffness of the neck, is a classic sign of meningitis and is assessed by gently lifting the head and attempting to move the chin toward the chest. If the client resists due to pain or stiffness, this could indicate nuchal rigidity associated with meningitis.

Choice D reason: Running a tongue blade on the outside of the client's sole and noting any flaring of the toes, known as the Babinski sign, is used to assess for central nervous system lesions and is not specific to meningitis. While it can be part of a neurological assessment, it does not specifically indicate bacterial meningitis.

Choice A reason: A client with diabetes mellitus presenting with acute ketoacidosis does not necessarily require a private room unless there are other infection control concerns. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a serious complication of diabetes that occurs when the body produces high levels of blood acids called ketones. It is a medical emergency that requires treatment in a hospital, but it is not contagious.

Choice B reason: An older adult client admitted with aspiration pneumonia would not typically require a private room solely based on this condition. Aspiration pneumonia is caused by inhaling food, stomach acid, or saliva into the lungs. It can lead to a bacterial infection, which may or may not be contagious depending on the causative organism.

Choice C reason: A client with a compound fracture of the right femur would not require a private room based on the diagnosis alone. A compound fracture, also known as an open fracture, is a fracture in which there is an open wound or break in the skin near the site of the broken bone. While it requires immediate medical attention to prevent infection, it is not a condition that necessitates isolation.

Choice D reason: A client who reports having fever, night sweats, and cough for 2 days may require a private room due to the possibility of an infectious disease that could be transmitted to others, such as tuberculosis (TB). These symptoms are concerning for TB, which is an airborne infectious disease and would require airborne precautions, including a private room with negative pressure ventilation.