A nurse is working with an interdisciplinary disaster committee to develop a community-wide emergency response plan in the event of a nonbiological or chemical incident. The nurse should include which of the following agencies to be notified immediately after calling 911?

Choice A reason:

Blurred vision: While blurred vision can occur in some cases of meningitis, it is not one of the most common or definitive symptoms. Meningitis primarily affects the meninges, leading to symptoms like headache, fever, and neck stiffness. Blurred vision might be a secondary symptom due to increased intracranial pressure, but it is not as typical as other symptoms.

Choice B reason:

Severe headache: A severe headache is a hallmark symptom of meningitis. This headache is often described as intense and different from typical headaches. It is caused by the inflammation of the meninges, which are the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. The headache is usually accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, neck stiffness, and sensitivity to light.

Choice C reason:

Oriented to person, place, and year: Being oriented to person, place, and year indicates normal cognitive function. However, meningitis can cause confusion, altered mental status, and even loss of consciousness in severe cases. Therefore, this finding would not be expected in a client with meningitis.

Choice D reason:

Bradycardia: Bradycardia, or a slow heart rate, is not typically associated with meningitis. Meningitis symptoms are more related to the central nervous system and include fever, headache, neck stiffness, and altered mental status. Bradycardia might occur in other conditions but is not a common finding in meningitis.

Choice A reason:

Intense pruritus: While itching (pruritus) can be a symptom of skin conditions, it is not a definitive sign of malignancy in nevi. Pruritus can be associated with benign conditions such as eczema or allergic reactions. However, if a mole starts to itch, it should be monitored closely, but it is not as strong an indicator of malignancy as irregular borders.

Choice B reason:

Irregular borders: This is a significant sign of potential malignancy in nevi. Melanomas often have uneven, notched, or scalloped borders, unlike benign moles, which typically have smooth, even borders. The irregularity in the border is due to the uncontrolled growth of melanocytes, which can spread unevenly.

Choice C reason:

Uniform pigmentation: Uniform pigmentation is generally a sign of a benign mole. Malignant moles often have multiple colors or an uneven distribution of color, which can include shades of brown, black, red, white, or blue. A mole with uniform color is less likely to be malignant.

Choice D reason:

Purulent drainage: While purulent drainage (pus) indicates an infection, it is not a typical sign of malignancy in nevi. Infections can occur in any skin lesion, but they do not specifically indicate cancer. Malignant moles are more likely to change in size, shape, or color rather than produce pus.