Meningitis%20-%20acute,%20bacterial%20(pediatric) Treatment

• All patients suspected of having bacterial meningitis should be in respiratory isolation 24 hours after initiation of effective therapy
• Patients who have not responded clinically after 48 hours of appropriate therapy should be monitored with repeated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis

Supervise Patient Closely

• Monitor vital signs and neurologic status regularly
• Perform complete neurologic exam and measure head circumference for children <18 months of age daily
• Shock may develop in a patient with meningitis 
• Patients with a depressed sensorium and/or seizures may need intubation for airway protection or assisted ventilation

Maintain Adequate Nutrition and Hydration

• Record intake and output; the patient should receive fluids sufficient to maintain systolic blood pressure (SBP) at around 80 mmHg, urinary output of 500 mL/m²/day and adequate tissue perfusion
• Depending on a patient’s altered mental state, tube feeding may be necessary
• Assess the fluid status of the patient to determine whether IV fluid restriction is necessary